Advice & Support
Undertaking Environmental Renewal Projects
No matter the scale of your work, you can benefit from our wide range of expertise covering landscape architecture and design, forestry creation and management, natural heritage, practical conservation and community participation techniques to help you make it happen. We may also be able to offer support through the provision of materials, tools, training and funding.
Establishing and Developing Community Groups
Several people may share a common desire in wanting to change the surrounding environment. But turning these ambitions into reality often involves the creation of a fully constitutional group, complete with committee members and elected officer bearers. This may seem a daunting task, when all you want to do is take action. However, there’s lots of help available to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Even once a group has been established, time, commitment and knowledge are all required to maintain the momentum to achieve your ongoing goals. Whether it’s recruiting more volunteers, guidance on projects, obtaining training, sourcing funding, organising events, health and safety legislation or involving other local groups in your work, we’ll be able to help.
For information on some Central Scotland Forest based groups, click here to learn of their history, achievements, future plans and lessons learned. This site shares ideas from all over Scotland, so you’re never alone if you want first-hand advice from people who’ve been where you want to go.
Obtaining Funding
Money is crucial in establishing and developing any group and its projects. To continue the hard work there are numerous funding bodies and funds you can approach and access. Your area Community Liaison Officer can provide assistance on who to contact, when to submit an application, what to ask for and how to complete the form.
If we have your contact details, we can inform you of any funding opportunities which we become aware of that may be of benefit to your group.
Central Scotland Forest Community Projects Fund
This fund is made available to any fully constituted group wishing to undertake environmental renewal projects in the Central Scotland Forest area. One-off grants are awarded with no match funding required and the amount applied for can be for all or part of your project. For examples of projects groups which received funding recently click here. Contact your area Sustainable Development Officer for details of the Fund’s availability.
Training Opportunities
Throughout the year the Central Scotland Forest Trust runs specific training courses for community groups, assists with group members’ attendance at courses and notifies of any relevant forthcoming training opportunities. We can also put you in touch with other training providers, such as BTCV Scotland.
Free Short Term Tool Loan
The Central Scotland Forest Trust runs a FREE short-term tool loan service to enable community groups to undertake a range of environmental activities. Contact your area Sustainable Development Officer for further details. You no longer have the excuse - “but we haven’t got the tools!”
Tools available
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Digging & Planting Garden forks Drubbing mattock Spades – junior and adult |
Tree & Shrub Maintenance Bow saws and pruning saws Lopers and secateurs |
Grass & Pond Maintenance Grapple hooks Grass and hay rakes Grass hooks and billhooks |
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General Maintenance Wheelbarrows Litter pickers Yard brush |
Power Tools Jigsaw |
Also Available Crowbar and wrecking bar File Hammers Pliers Saws and screwdrivers |
Event Organisation
The Central Scotland Forest Trust can train and assist community group to run events celebrating green or open spaces, including promoting them. Staging events throughout the year can help to raise the profile of your work and group as well as providing funds for future work, attracting visitors, recruiting new volunteers, assisting with work days, celebrating achievements, fostering closer links with others, offering life long learning opportunities or simply being a fun day out for everyone.
