We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Urban Forestry Challenge Fund, supporting community‑based work to plant, protect and care for trees and woodlands in towns and cities across Scotland.

Projects span the country from Aberdeen to Dumfries and are being delivered through our Urban Forestry Programme, a partnership initiative with JERA Nex bp.

Together, the projects are bringing trees and green spaces closer to where people live, work and spend time. They include neighbourhood woodlands, food forests, street trees, and greener community spaces. Collectively, they mark the next step in Scotland’s growing urban forestry network.

2026 Urban Forestry Challenge Fund recipients

We awarded grants across two competitive funding categories, with awards ranging from £2,000 to £100,000. We selected projects based on the difference they can make to improving tree equity and access to quality green space in Scotland’s urban areas.

Small grants (up to £20,000)

• LIFT Dumfries – NANA’s Garden: Growing Trees, Skills and Community in Lochside
• CLEAR, Buckhaven and Methil (Fife) – Trees, Bees and Fruit
• Kirkton Community Centre, Dundee – Keswick Terrace Greenspace Development
• Social Juice CIC, Aberdeen – Silver City Trees

Large grants (£20,000–£100,000)

• Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust – Urban Street Trees: Canopy Custodians
• West Lothian Council – Trees and Woodlands in the West
• FEL Scotland – Trees for Goals
• Natural Connections, Tranent (East Lothian) – Tranent Tree Town
• Maxwell Community Centre and Garden, Dundee – Dundee Food Forests: The Big Grow!
• The Orchard Project (Glasgow and Inverclyde) – Orchard Commons: Planting and Stewardship for Resilient Edible Treescapes
• South Lanarkshire Council – Improving Tree Equity in South Lanarkshire’s Lowest‑Scoring Urban Areas
• Edible Estates, South West Edinburgh – South West Edinburgh Urban Woodlands
• One further project will be confirmed once contractual arrangements are complete.

Building on progress across Scotland

Since the Urban Forestry Challenge Fund launched in 2025, £1.36 million has been awarded to 25 projects across Scotland.

So far, this support has helped to plant more than 6,500 trees, engage over 320 volunteers, and create four new urban forestry jobs. The 2026 projects build on this momentum and contribute to long‑term change in urban areas with low tree cover.

All projects support the wider ambition of the Urban Forestry Programme to move towns and cities closer to the 3:30:300 rule. This aims to ensure that everyone can see at least three trees from their home, that neighbourhoods have 30% tree canopy cover, and that quality green space is accessible within 300 metres.

Project spotlight: Trees for Goals

One of the projects awarded funding this year is ‘Trees for Goals’, delivered by FEL Scotland, which will receive £94,500.

The project links goals scored on the football pitch with trees planted in local neighbourhoods. It uses sport as a simple and accessible route into climate action and biodiversity.

The idea began as a pilot with grassroots football team Alloa Saints. A tree was planted for every goal scored during the season, resulting in around 2,000 trees planted. The project has since expanded and now works with 16 clubs across Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling.

Clara Walker, Executive Director at FEL Scotland, said:

“This funding enables us to plant trees where they’ll make the biggest difference. It strengthens communities, improves local environments and inspires climate action through the power of sport. By working with local partners, we can grow greener neighbourhoods and ensure the impact lasts well into the future.”

Trees for Goals focuses on areas with low tree cover and poor tree equity. The project is designed to leave a lasting legacy by embedding tree care into everyday club activity.

Local action delivering long‑term change

Des Hackett, our Urban Forestry Programme Manager said:

“The second year of projects to receive Urban Forestry Challenge Funding demonstrates the growing ambition and creativity of organisations across Scotland. From community sports grounds to neighbourhood woodlands, these projects show how local action can deliver long‑term benefits for climate resilience, biodiversity and wellbeing.”

Thomas Hudson, Morven Project Director at JERA Nex bp, added:

“These projects demonstrate the power of community‑led action to create lasting environmental change. Through the Urban Forestry Challenge Fund, we are supporting initiatives that increase tree cover, build skills and create greener, more resilient neighbourhoods.”

Applications reopen this autumn

Applications for the next round of Urban Forestry Challenge Fund grants will reopen in autumn 2026. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date and hear when applications open.