We’ve heard about a lot of different ways our schools have been fundraising for improvements to their outdoor spaces. From fundraising events to getting local businesses involved please let us know more about your fundraising ideas and we will add them to this page playgrounds@edinburgh.gov.uk
There are also some grants and awards out there that you can apply for Foundation Scotland is a resource that can help you search for funding opportunities and Trellis provides detailed information about funding sources. Creative Star Learning is also a great resource in links to funding Grants for outdoor learning and play
National Lottery Awards for All
Funding from £300 to £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities. Your outdoor space project would need to meet one of National Lottery’s Awards for All priorities and we think the two following could apply to our school grounds projects.
- bringing people together and building strong relationships in and across communities
- improving the places and spaces that matter to communities
The Edinburgh Airport Community Fund
“The fund was established to ensure local communities share in the success of Scotland’s busiest airport. It provides financial support to community groups and charities committed to improving opportunities, facilities, and services available to local people.”
Schools in Edinburgh with EH postcodes: excluding 31, 39, 40, 41, 42 can apply to the fund, Initiatives could include:
- The mitigation against and reduction of the effects of a changing climate.
- The reduction of local, negative environmental impacts.
- Supporting local biodiversity, rewilding, and/or restoration of the natural world.
Planting trees and hedges, re-wilding areas in school grounds, digging up tarmac to replace with planting or grass are all projects that would be eligible for funding.
Keep an eye on the website for application opening and closing dates.
The Tree Council: Orchards for Schools
“Orchards for Schools is our popular grant programme for UK schools that provides a free pack of fruit-bearing, wildlife-enhancing, carbon-storing orchard or fruiting hedgerow for your school!“
“Funding for environmental education projects, outdoor learning and ‘learning from the land’“
- up to £1,500
- funding to create a school community nature space with learning opportunities
- applications open in autumn 2024
“The programme is open to all schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, with priority given to projects that provide food and support to young people.“
City of Edinburgh Council Community Grants Fund
Grants of up to £5,000 to constituted groups for local community activity in Edinburgh.
Outdoor Community Play Main Grants Fund 2026 – 2028
(closed for applications on 10th October 2025, but worth keeping an eye on) – grants of up to £20,000 for registered Scottish charities operating in SIMD 1 and 2 locations.
Greenspace Scotland Parks4Life Community Fund
Grants of up to £1,500 to support park and greenspace projects in Scotland.
Asda Foundation Outdoor Community Spaces Fund
“Our surplus and display items go to those who need them the most, to help build a stronger community for all of us. It’s a great way to reduce waste whilst helping good causes, including schools, colleges, refuges, hostels, hospices, wellbeing groups and youth clubs, to access additional resources.”
There are also some opportunities to get specific things for your outdoor space.
Free trees
The Woodland Trust is giving away free trees so that every child can plant a tree in their lifetime. Another tree give away is the Tree Appeal: Trees for Schools. Both are a fantastic opportunity to create a woodland in your school grounds for future generations.
Free gardening tools
The Conservation Foundation offer free refurbished gardening tools to schools and they have a Tools Shed workshop in Edinburgh.
Sports Funding
Sports Scotland Sport Facilities Fund receive applications for capital projects that help to create or improve places for sport and physical activity. They will prioritise projects based on whether you can demonstrate “an inclusive approach that targets participants in/from SIMD areas or areas of rural disadvantage, or those with additional needs, or those from ethnically diverse communities, or other protected characteristics, as identified in The Equalities Act 2010” Deadlines for applications are 1 April and 1 September.
Aldi Scottish Sport Fund keep an eye on this website for when applications open for Edinburgh  Applications are open from Monday 01 September – Sunday 05 October 2025
Search for Funding opportunities
Education Nature Park Funding Search
futureschoolsedinburgh.com 