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Proposals for this project: Grow Your Own fund

Total budget £50,000

Only residents in the following areas can participate:

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Increasing production of nutritious food at the allotments on Lauriston Farm

2025-05-12  •  No comments  •  Communities Reduce Reuse & Recycle  •  Grow Your Own fund

Funding Application Statement (Public-Facing):

We are seeking funding to expand community food growing and training opportunities at Lauriston Farm through the installation of a shared polytunnel. The ELREC Organic Gardening Group, made up of local beginner growers, has been cultivating organic vegetables on-site for the past three years, with expert support from volunteer Dr. Sam Page, a specialist in natural pest management with over 30 years of international experience.

Our group currently grows a variety of nutritious crops, including kale, beans, garlic, and squash. However, the short Scottish growing season limits what can be successfully cultivated outdoors. A polytunnel will allow us to extend the season, protect seedlings from early spring weather and pests, and grow a wider range of nutritious crops such as tomatoes, aubergines, and melons.

This project will also significantly expand our capacity to deliver practical horticultural training in both outdoor no-dig beds and the new indoor growing space. Importantly, the polytunnel will be a shared resource, supporting over 20 other local community groups who garden at Lauriston Farm. Funding will help us build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local food system while offering hands-on learning for people of all backgrounds.

Redhall Grows

2025-05-12  •  No comments  •  Anna  •  Grow Your Own fund

Redhall Grows would utilise the current garden space we have for growing food, cooking, and enjoying it together. We would implement raised beds, along with a polytunnel, to grow a variety of fruit and vegetables. Each of our nine classes would take an active role in the planting and tending to our food growing project. It would also become a key part of our outdoor learning sessions and Eco Group remit. At the moment, we are quite limited in funding for fresh fruits and vegetables for our children to try. The food grown in our garden project could become an incredible tool for our children’s communication. Most of our children are nonspeaking and utilise alternative types of communication. Their diets are also frequently quite limited. Trying new things and learning how to indicate what they like and don’t like would be an invaluable activity for our learners.

 

Further to the empowering benefits of our learners being able to grow food from seed and figure out what they do and don’t like, with an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven, the garden could be used to cooking sessions (life skills related to health and wellbeing are a large part of our curriculum).

 

To involve parents and the local community, we would aim to host a series of food-related engagements within the garden, such as a pizza night and a soup night. We would signpost this widely to draw in local community members into the life of our school.

 

We are currently working on achieving our Green Flag award with Eco Schools, and are hoping to create a more sustainable environment for our leaners and the wider community.

Inch Park Community Orchard - Maintenance and Care Artists

Inch Park Community Orchard and Tree Care Project

2025-05-11  •  No comments  •  Jonathan Baxter  •  Grow Your Own fund

To plant a contained 30-tree community orchard on the boundary of Inch Park and Inch Housing Estate (from hereon: The Inch) with additional planting of 60 fruit and nut trees and 250 other trees and shrubs (varieties could include more fruit and nut trees). The community orchard will act as an outdoor learning and growing space, with further planting throughout Inch Park and possibly The Inch; the latter depending on outcomes generated by the tree planting coordinator and community development worker post (from hereon: TPC-CDW).   

 

The overall project aims to foster community engagement, educate for biodiversity, food sustainability and climate literacy, whilst enhancing the overall health and well-being of our local communities.

 

Maintenance and care are key to the survival of urban woodlands and orchards. To this end the project focuses on training a team of Maintenance and Care artists (MCs for the community orchard and wider treescape) drawn from the local community and our partner organisations.

Key Objectives (adapted for wordcount):

  1. Community Engagement:
    • Involve local residents in the planning, planting, maintenance and celebration of the orchards and the park’s wider treescape.
    • Host regular volunteer days to foster a sense of ownership and community pride.
    • Collaborate with local schools, community groups, and businesses.
  2. Biodiversity and Climate Education:
    • Develop educational programs and materials to inform the community about the importance of biodiversity and climate change.
    • Partner with Edinburgh-based environmental organisations to provide expert-led tours and workshops with a focus on tree care (including orchard care) and companion species.
    • Create interpretive signage to educate visitors on different plant species and their ecological benefits.
  3. Health Benefits:
    • Promote physical activity through orchard maintenance and tree care workshops.
    • Improve mental health by providing a serene green space for relaxation, recreation and imaginative play.
    • Provide access to fresh, organic fruit and nuts, encouraging healthier eating habits.

Specifically, regarding this funding bid:

The TPC-CDWs will undertake the planting of the community orchard and 60 additional fruit and nut trees in collaboration with FOIP and the wider community; this will include planting more fruit and nut trees if the community favour extending the food growing focus within The Inch. To maximise engagement the TPC-CDWs will run regular planting days with designated community groups from late September 2025-March 2026. In advance of these planting days (through July-August), and as part of their follow-up and overall engagement, the TPC-CDWs will liaise with partner organisations, local residents, and others (see below) to explore planting locations and food growing initiatives within The Inch. Key to the project’s success will be the recruitment of volunteers committed to the ongoing maintenance, care and celebration of the trees. While some of the volunteers will be members of FOIP, a broader base of community volunteers will be required. The TPC-CDWs role will be to galvanise that volunteer base and to provide a range of tree planting days not limited to the availability of FOIP’s existing members and associates. 

Community Growing Area - Friends of the Jewel

2025-04-02  •  1 comment  •  george fyvie  •  Grow Your Own fund

We will clear the areas identified as prime growing locations and create biodiversity hubs.  We will also pay for a member of staff to run the project and chair meeting groups from the local community.  There are two areas identified, one which is council owned and one owned by ourselves, a retaining wall will need modified to have a gate in it, for access to the area owned by ourselves and we expect around 60 people to be involved in the growing.  We are forming a brand new group called friends of the Jewel who will do this.  The Jewel is in one of the most deprivated areas of not only our wonderful city but all of Scotland, and the community dearly needs areas to grow food.  We see this as a long term food growing and community development opportunity that will expand and take in partnerships throughout the area.  We have no equipment to do this yet so will need to purchase everything we need to build raised beds, topsoil, nutrients, etc.

The area marked on the map is the council owned area, the white area directly to its right by our bowling green lawn is where the walled off area is that we own.

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Grow at Home: Urban Food Growing for All

2025-05-12  •  No comments  •  holistic  •  Grow Your Own fund

Project Title: Grow at Home: Urban Food Growing for All

Project Description

Planetary Healing Centre, in partnership with The FREE Company, will deliver Grow at Home: Urban Food Growing for All-a practical, community-led initiative that empowers adults across Edinburgh to grow their own food, regardless of space or experience. This project will offer twice-monthly, hands-on workshops at The FREE Company’s Cockdurno Farm, led by two experienced facilitators. Each session will welcome up to 16 participants and focus on practical, low-cost methods for growing food in small urban spaces such as buckets, pots, balconies, windowsills, and gardens.

What We Will Do with the Funding The funding will cover facilitator costs, materials (including seeds, containers, and compost), and coordination, enabling us to run 8 free workshops over 12 months. Sessions will cover topics such as soil health, container planting, seasonal growing, composting, organic methods, and seed saving. The programme is designed to be inclusive and trauma-informed, welcoming those with no prior experience and removing financial and knowledge-based barriers to participation.

Who Will Benefit The project is open to all adults in Edinburgh, with a focus on:

People experiencing mental health challenges, who will benefit from the therapeutic effects of growing and group support.

Individuals affected by the cost of living crisis, who will gain skills to grow affordable, nutritious food at home.

Urban residents with limited or no access to green space, especially those in flats or overcrowded housing.

Minority ethnic communities, who are often underrepresented in environmental initiatives.

Socially isolated individuals, including older adults, carers, and people in recovery.

Environmentally conscious individuals seeking practical ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

Total of participants = 8 sessions of 16 people = 128. We usually expect 75% returning, therefore we estimate a total of 96 people will benefit if we count returning people.

   

Expected Impacts Participants will:

Gain knowledge and confidence to grow food at home, improving access to fresh, healthy produce.

Experience improved wellbeing, reduced social isolation, and increased community connections.

Contribute to Edinburgh’s 2030 Climate Strategy by reducing reliance on high-emission supermarket produce and building local food resilience.

Share their skills and learning with family, neighbours, and wider networks, amplifying the project’s impact.

Alignment with Fund Priorities This project directly supports the Grow Your Own Fund’s aims by:

Creating new, accessible food growing opportunities.

Providing education and training in urban food growing.

Reducing food waste and promoting sustainable, low-carbon lifestyles.

Engaging underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in community growing.

Project Timeline and Budget The project will run for 12 months, with 8 workshops held per year. The grant will be used for:

Facilitator fees (£40 per session x 2 facilitators x 8 sessions)= £1600

Growing materials (seeds, compost, containers, insurance, volunteer expenses, monitoring and evaluation, etc) £800 

Coordination and outreach to ensure the programme is accessible and reaches those most in need. £2000

Total = £4400

Measuring Success We will track participant attendance, collect feedback, and assess skill development through pre- and post-programme surveys. We will encourage participants to report on their home food growing and share stories of impact within their communities. Regular updates will be shared with funders and the wider public through newsletters, social media, and our website.

Summary By making food growing accessible, practical, and inspiring, Grow at Home: Urban Food Growing for All will help build a healthier, more resilient, and climate-conscious Edinburgh-one balcony, bucket, and windowsill at a time.

This description aligns with the Grow Your Own Fund guidelines, clearly addressing what you will do, who will benefit, expected impacts, alignment with fund priorities, and how you will measure success

Growing Together

Growing Together

2025-05-12  •  No comments  •  Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre  •  Grow Your Own fund

The events and activities on offer the chance to take part in gardening and growing workshops, cooking on a fire and wood oven, sessions with music and movement, woodland crafts, planting growing your own food at home and celebration events.  All the activities will be developed around the needs of the community and we plan to be led by their ideas moving forward.

Addressing current barriers preventing the local community from connecting whilst engaging them to develop their own social hub.  A place where they can grow, socialise and enjoy food together.  Helping local people to develop friendships and feel more invested in the area, making it sustainable in the longer term.

ELGT’s team who currently deliver Out & About in and around South Edinburgh, which has been successful for many years, will plan and deliver the programme on behalf of the management committee and centre.  We have collaborated on many programmes over the years with families, kids groups, youth groups and older adults, which have all been very successful.  Their aim is to introduce communities to outdoor based activities in an affordable way, making them more sustainable for the future.  These should be offered in a comfortable and fun way – with lots of positivity to encourage further attendance.

In the longer term aiming to give the local community tools to move forward with a sustainable and achievable plan to improve health and well being.

Collaboratively we will be getting people involved, building relationships and developing trust by using innovative ways to engage with those that are hard to reach.  Using our knowledge and skills to bring the young people we work with along to activities, whilst the team at ELGT will gain referrals through Community Link Workers, GP’s and clinicians, other organisations and key stake holders.  We will also promote these activities thorough our popular social media platforms as well as distributing and displaying promotional materials locally too.

 

    • Increased food production for community cooking groups and pantry
    • Forming friendships and reducing social isolation
    • Trying new activities
    • Learning new skills
    • Greater connections with community
    • Improved confidence
    • Increased independence
    • Intergenerational opportunities for the community
    • Connected with nature in their local greenspace
    • Increased community participation and volunteering
    • Build strong, inclusive and resilient communities
    • Opportunities that meet community needs to address health inequalities
Garden @ the Snake

Garden @ the Snake

2025-05-11  •  4 comments  •  Beth Hadley  •  Grow Your Own fund

Vision and Purpose:

This community garden will serve as a multifunctional space that:

  • Provides a calm and beautiful resting place for individuals using the active travel networks.
  • Engages local people in food-growing practices, offering an accessible way to connect with urban agriculture.
  • Supports biodiversity, linking nature networks in Roseburn Path, Union Canal, and Dalry Cemetery, mitigating habitat loss caused by the cycle path development.
  • Improves soil permeability to absorb rainfall and reduce flooding risks on Russell Road.
  • Promotes community wellbeing by providing a shared space where local people can gather, share knowledge, and engage in meaningful activities that strengthen local connections and deepen community ties.
  • Promotes individual wellbeing by enabling people to reconnect with nature, contributing to mental and emotional health through hands-on engagement with soil, plants, and local wildlife.

 Environmental resilience and food security:

  • Permaculture techniques to manage natural resources at the garden.
  • Careful rainwater management (waste water runoff collection by plumbing runoff pipes from cycle path railway bridge into water butts, rain water collection in landscaped swales)
  • Improvement of soil structure, stability and nutrient density (Focussing on perennial plants as much as possible to reduce soil disruption, adding organic matter back into the soil with compost and green manure, improving soil water permeability and water retention through surface mulching)
  • Natural pollination and pest management by co-planting veg/fruit with flowers and herbs to attract pollinators and pest-managing insects like ladybirds.

 Access to food growing knowledge and green skills:

  • By encouraging community learning and informed participation in community composting, demonstrated by a fantastic project in Lancaster where residents could take a quick induction course in order to make sure compost composition and maintenance was correct. More community involvement means more compost, which means more food!
  • Volunteers at the garden will learn hands-on about food growing, and funding could allow guest experts to come in to teach skills, or to help run interactive sessions.

 

Get Blackhall Growing

2025-05-12  •  No comments  •  amobrien  •  Grow Your Own fund

The project will use a prominent plot on the grounds of Blackhall Primary school, situated on a main road in the local area. It will create a community growing area full of fruit, vegetable, herbs, and edible flowers. The project will engage a range of young people in food production including students from the primary school, who will be given the opportunity (outside the regular curriculum) to grow on the plot, supported by the Outdoor Education team and volunteers from the community. Local youth groups including the Brownies, Guides and Scouts will also be invited to use the plot for their learning and engagement in growing.

 

We will also aim to engage members of the community beyond our young growers, to encourage intergenerational exchanges on growing your own, and strengthen existing links. For example, the children will visit the local Care Home to showcase and share the produce. We will hold community open days where locals can share the space, learn from what the children have done, and help themselves to produce. We will also foster links with other local primary schools with similar initiatives, share our produce and plants at local events, and share our surplus with local community enterprises (for example the Village Bistro in Davidsons Mains).

The  Pond awaiting wildlife at Bridgend

Bridgend Ukrainian Gardening Group

2025-05-08  •  2 comments  •  Volunteer Edinburgh Bridgend Ukrainian Gardening Group  •  Grow Your Own fund

The project wants to grow more fruit bushes and welcome more people by offering picnics and a place to meet outside and in the shade of the polytunnel and to encourage the support of others that are wanting to enjoy gardening and grow crops from their childhood. People can eat and enjoy the fresh produce as well as all the wonderful aromas that are created with the likes of tomatoes, strawberries, dill and mint. Fruit bushes offer more nutrition as well which benefit health and diet.

There is an opportunity for all ages to thrive in this space and enjoy the delights of investigating wildlife and planting and growing. A pond allows for more learning along with all the bugs in the area and the sharing of learning from the beekeepers that are near by. There is a requirement for more pond life and plants that benefit the climate in Edinburgh

There will be learning and sharing as people enjoy the beauty of the earth and its produce. 

There can be crops that are not commonly harvested and food sharing as well as cooking of food and sharing time together.

There is an opportunity to reuse materials and build on what has been established rather than creating something new and many items are recycled and shared 

There is a plan to look at developing education and learning with experts that can talk about growing in Edinburgh.

Tools, plants and cooking materials are required for this project

 

 

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Gate 55 Community Food Growers

2025-05-11  •  No comments  •  Gate 55 Community Food Growers  •  Grow Your Own fund

There is a huge unmet need for food growing space such as allotments, and ours is a low-income area where growing your own is often the only way to access high-quality, organic fruit and vegetables.

Local young people recently built several new raised beds to create an allotment area at Sighthill Community Centre (Gate 55), as part of an SVQ in Rural Skills. The project will support them and the other residents who have begun growing food here - using organic, no-dig methods - in becoming a formally constituted and thriving community food growing group.

The project will enable the group to fit out a space to use for propagation; plant fruit bushes; and install a water butt.

It will cover the cost of a part-time Project Worker (12 hours per month) who – as well as taking part in weekly gardening sessions as a volunteer herself - will work to promote and expand the group and ensure that all parts of the community can come and get involved. The Project Worker will provide the group with administrative support, and link it up with potential partner organisations such as RBGE to come and run workshops in Gate 55’s new food growing spaces.

The food growing spaces now encompass an allotment with seven large raised beds and a tattie ridge, and a large planter in the courtyard of the building. As well as these, there is a sizeable south-facing garden area that the centre will be inviting the group to develop and use for community food growing (it is currently short grass and paving, but has two mature apple trees in it), with support from the Project Worker and the Wider Achievement Officer at Gate 55 (who will work in partnership on this project). The group will go on a visit to Lauriston Farm to get more ideas about what they want to grow in the different spaces.

The project is partnering with Sighthill Library, with plans to set up a seed library inside it.

This autumn, the project will see the group look at composting and wormeries, with a view to additional composting or wormery facilities being built for the food growing.

The growing spaces will be open to all. Everyone will be able to come and simply enjoy them or take part in simple tasks such as watering at any time during Sighthill Community Centre: Gate 55’s opening hours.

The produce will be made available to the local community for free at two large harvest meals, which will be open to all, and, during other periods, using a very low-cost, community veg box (pantry-style) scheme.