The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) will support food growing projects.
The Central Scotland Green Network’s (CSGN) ‘Growing Food Together’ Fund is once again offering a cash boost to community growing projects across the whole of Scotland.
Funded by the Scottish Government, projects can apply for part of the £100,000 fund that aims to foster community engagement in growing and learning about food, as well as promoting healthy eating and outdoor exercise.
Joe FitzPatrick, Scottish Government’s Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, said: “I am delighted the Growing Food Together Fund continues to support community growing projects. These projects are a key way in which the people of Scotland can enjoy a wide range of social, community, health and environmental benefits.
“Recent events including Brexit, Covid 19 and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine have brought to the forefront of people’s minds the importance of access to greenspaces and growing projects which are crucial in promoting healthy physical and mental wellbeing. The joy which can be found from planting a seed, watching it grow, harvesting and cooking your own grown produce can never be underestimated.
“This funding is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in community growing spaces and enjoy the myriad of health and social benefits which these projects can provide.”
The Green Action Trust, a leading environmental regeneration charity, is managing the fund as part of its work to drive forward the delivery of the Central Scotland Green Network.
Following the success of last year’s fund, the Green Action Trust is again expanding the application criteria to welcome applications from across Scotland.
Community growing projects are a key part of creating an environment that allows Scotland and its people to thrive.
The Trust is particularly interested in applications that fit community growing into local responses to the present cost of living crisis and deliver aspirations to become a Good Food Nation.
Derek Robertson, chief executive at the Green Action Trust, said: “We are delighted to be playing a role in delivering this important fund and supporting communities to develop their outdoor growing spaces. These projects are fantastic, as they enable people to come together, build more resilient communities, and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of growing their own fresh food.”
