Charities in Edinburgh working to tackle poverty, the impact of climate change and racism are to share £15m in long term funding from a collaboration of funders.

The Regenerative Futures Fund has been set up by among others the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and City of Edinburgh Council to support good causes combating these three issues.

It is hosted by Foundation Scotland with funding decisions made by a Residents’ Panel, made up of local people with experience of poverty and racism.

A total of 11 good causes and partnerships have been selected to share the money, which spans the next ten years.

Those funding include Migrant Justice Edinburgh.

“The Regenerative Futures Fund represents a funding approach that feels both timely and important within the current landscape,” said the charity’s representatives.

“It offers something that remains relatively rare: long-term, 10-year support that enables organisations to think and act beyond short-term cycles.

“This creates the conditions for work that is strategic, adaptive, and focused on long-term change.

“Just as importantly, the Fund places strong emphasis on centring residents — particularly those most affected by poverty — and encourages an intersectional approach that recognises how poverty is shaped by racism, the climate crisis, and wider structural inequalities.”

Also receiving funding are Be United; Cables Wynd House Residents Group with Making Rights Real; Sudanese Community Edinburgh with Edinburgh Science Foundation; Lauriston Farm Collective; Living Rent Edinburgh; Networking Key Services Ltd; Porty Community Energy; Scottish BPOC Writers Network; Sikh Sanjog; and Transition Edinburgh South with Edinburgh Community Food.

Long term action

Leah Black co-head of the fund said: “Reaching this stage is hugely significant, allowing organisations and partnerships to turn long-held ambitions into long-term action.

“The Regenerative Futures Fund represents a real shift in how funding can be transformational when communities are placed at the centre.”

A statement from the Resident’s Panel added: “This wasn’t just about selecting projects, it was about responsibility to the city and the future. We wanted to create a better Edinburgh and that has driven this work from the very beginning.

“We’ve seen the strength, creativity and ambition that already exists across the city, and this process was about giving groups the capacity and trust to deliver the real change we all need to see. It has been a real privilege to be part of something that is so grounded yet so innovative.”

Other funders involved are The Robertson Trust and Turn2us Edinburgh Trust. It is also supported by local philanthropists, including Tom Ward. The Fund continues to welcome new funding partners.

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