funding for community groups
The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub is pleased to be able to financially contribute to communities taking part in the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival.
We have two stages of funding available exclusively for Community Groups.
£150 event contribution
Invitation to apply for funding and support for Marketplace style larger events
Historically, this opportunity has been very popular and we anticipate that demand will be high for 2026. We really want to see as many communities as possible throughout Highland, Orkney and Shetland have the opportunity to take part in events during the festival therefore, we’re operating on an event contribution basis.
Exact details on when these funds will be made available will be available soon with members of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub getting exclusive information. Sign up now to make sure you’re kept up to date.
Community Event funding
Open to community or voluntary organisations in Highland, Orkney or Shetland Islands Local Authority areas
Contribution of £150 to your organisation to stage an event from 1st - 30th September 2026 as part of the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival
Applications for funding close on a date yet to be arranged in 2026.
We will advise on your funding application as early as possible and will consider applications on a rolling basis.
The sooner you get your application to us then the sooner we will be able to advise and allocate funding to you.
All events funded must be confirmed with dates/time by 21st August 2026 for inclusion in the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival Programme
Your event must be environmentally sustainable, please see our guide on Sustainable Events for further details
Your proposal must not be for events or activities which are otherwise funded from another source
To receive funding, you must be a member of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub.
To apply please complete the form on this page which will be visible as soon as applications open. You will receive an automated response on submission to confirm that we have received your application.
Can you bring groups together in your area to create a larger event?
In 2024, we held or partnered in very successful marketplace style events in Lochaber, Caithness and Shetland where several groups came together to host one large event. Events were held in halls or outdoors and it gave a spirit of collaboration and networking alongside enabling community members to see the scale of work taking place in their area and enjoy different activities and themes on the day.
We are looking to partner with a lead organisation in each area of Highland and Orkney (Shetland already have an established Climate Festival in September who we’re thrilled to partner with) to host similar events. You can either work as a collaboration across many organisations or nominate yourself as the lead organisation for your area to bring partners together.
We have funding available and also can provide Community Development Officer support and the support of our wider team to help you to plan and deliver the event. Our one criteria is that within your event there should be time and space for a Climate Engagement workshop which we will either provide the tools or the staffing to support.
The event must take place between 1st & 30th September
Events must take place in Highland or Orkney Local Authority areas
Your proposal must not be for events or activities which are otherwise funded from another source
Your events or activities must be environmentally sustainable, please see our Sustainability Guide for more details
To receive funding, you must be a member of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub
Your event should bring together a wide range of groups in your area and include a range of activities
We can support with funding including venue & equipment hire, refreshments, activities, marketing and cover some staffing and organisational costs
Submission of proposals will open in Spring 2026.
Submissions will close on an agreed date in Summer 2026.
We encourage applications as soon as possible so we can determine the funding which needs to be made available. Please submit your proposal outlining costs and date(s) of event using the button below which will be visible when applications open.
