Scotland

Scotland’s incredible nature

Scotland: the very name conjures up images of vast landscapes, looming mountains (282 of them over 3,000 ft!) and wild beauty. If you’ve never visited, This is Scotland.

For its size, Scotland has an impressive wealth of habitats, species and biodiversity. 

• Scotland’s seas make up around 61% of the UK’s total marine area and it has over 11,000 miles of coastline.
• Scotland is home to 70% of the UK’s seabirds, 75% of the UK’s red squirrels and a third of the world’s grey seals.
• The Flow Country in Caithness and Sutherland is considered to be the largest blanket bog in the world and in 2024 became the world’s first peatland UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Scotland boasts a range of unique species and habitats, for example the iconic capercaillie, pine marten, Scottish primrose, white-script Lichen and globally important areas of Atlantic rainforest.

Why funders are giving in Scotland

Scotland is a testing ground for environmental innovation that can help change the world. As a country, it’s small enough to get things done, yet big enough to demonstrate scale.

Rapid climate change combined with intensive farm and woodland management, habitat loss, pollution and industrial fishing and fish farming activity are key drivers of biodiversity loss and declines in the health of Scotland’s coastal, marine and terrestrial ecosystems. A growing group of committed funders are working hard to support a really vibrant Scottish environment sector to protect and restore our precious environment for everyone’s benefit. 

Again and again, environmental NGOs have proven that they can turn philanthropic funds into significant wins for the environment in Scotland, restoring landscapes, changing policy and protecting our coasts. 

Funders giving in the country are widespread, including the William Grant Foundation, the Highlands & Islands Environment Foundation, generalist and specialist funders, located in and beyond Scotland.

‘Often the rest of the UK will follow once something has happened in Scotland – so in terms of seeing change happen at the large scale, Scotland is a great place to start.’ Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, EFN Where the Green Grants Went Scotland, 2017

‘We have supported environmental work for many years now, and in that time feel that we have developed a good understanding of the environmental charities operating in Scotland, including the fact that many of them are small- or medium-sized. We are often struck by the ways in which these organisations deliver highly ambitious and effective work that benefits not only their cause areas, but the wider UK environmental movement.’ John Ellerman Foundation, EFN Supporting effective environmental action in Scotland, 2023

There’s never been a more important time to start thinking about how you can get involved in Scottish giving. An easy way to get started is via Pooled Funds. Here are some examples of Scottish Pooled Funds:

• Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund
• Inspiring Scotland’s Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund
• Highlands & Islands Environment Foundation

How we’re supporting Scottish fundraisers

We warmly invite green fundraisers in Scotland to join EFN’s Green Fundraisers Forum. In addition to this, there are various Scotland-wide networks for environmental organisations that can help Scottish fundraisers:

• Circular Communities Scotland: a thriving network of over 250 charities and social enterprises supporting Scotland’s circular economy.
• Community Woods Association (CWA): a selection of funding opportunities from CWA who support new, aspiring, and established community woodland groups, to achieve their aspirations.
• Community Land Scotland: a network of 100+ member organisations, ranging from community landowners of major crofting estates in the Western Isles to inner city community hubs, working to be a collective voice for community landowners in Scotland.
• Ethnic Minority Environmental Network: creates connections between ethnic minority groups and individuals, and mainstream organisations addressing climate change and climate justice in Scotland.
• Fauna and Flora International: supports community-based conservation across Scotland.
• Scottish Communities Climate Action Network: a volunteer-led network with membership open to any community group across Scotland that is taking action on the climate crisis and to any organisation that is involved with or supports such community-led action.
• Scottish Environment LINK: the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 40 member bodies; LINK has an active Fundraisers Forum.
• Stop Climate Chaos Scotland: a diverse coalition of over 70 civil society organisations in Scotland campaigning together on climate change.
• Transform Scotland: the collective voice for sustainable transport, with members ranging from grassroots campaign groups, environmental charities, walking and cycling organisations, to transport companies, local authorities and universities, plus interested individuals.

EFN’s programme in Scotland is generously supported through grants (currently from William Grant Foundation, Dunlossit and Islay Community Trust and Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation) and membership contributions from a growing number of Scotland-based funders.