NESCAN Hub – Seed Fund

Total Value of Fund

The exact total annual value of the Seed Fund is not publicly specified, but in recent years it has provided a small pot of funding to support numerous small community climate action and biodiversity projects in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Applications are awarded until the fund is committed.

Amount that can be applied for

Grants of up to £500 per organisation are available, designed to enable as many groups as possible to access funding for small-scale environmental action.

Percentage that can be applied for

The fund does not specify a fixed percentage of project costs that must be covered; applicants may request up to £500 toward their eligible project costs. The Seed Fund supports small discrete costs rather than a proportional share of a larger budget.

Who can apply

• Local not-for-profit community-led organisations based in Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire with an annual income under £50,000 per year can apply. 
• In some cases, individuals may apply on behalf of informal groups, but a partner organisation with a bank account must receive the funds on their behalf. 
• Applicants must be members of NESCAN Hub.

Aims of the fund

• Support small-scale community climate action and biodiversity projects. 
• Enable communities to implement initiatives that mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, build resilience or educate local people about sustainability. 
• Provide starter funds that can act as a stepping stone toward larger initiatives or funding bids.

Timing

Applications close on Monday, 2nd March 2026.

Examples of successful projects

In the most recent rounds, 30+ small grants were allocated to community groups for climate action, biodiversity enhancement and sustainability projects across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire (for example, community gardens, biodiversity activities and small climate action initiatives). Specific individual project details (names/values) aren’t routinely published, but recipients often include small volunteer groups implementing environmental improvement work at local level.

Contact info

• Email: info@nescan.org
• Phone: +44 (0)1224 432 042
• Website & Applications: https://nescan.org/the-seed-fund/
• Address: 

NESCAN Hub Ltd., 
charity registered in Scotland (No. SC053435),
at The James Hutton Institute, 
Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen
AB15 8QH.