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From August 2025 to March 2026 Arran Eco Savvy were funded by The Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund to deliver ‘Climate Conversations’! A comprehensive program of community-led climate engagement activities. This included:

Arran Climate Detectives

• We delivered Climate Literacy sessions to every primary school across the island. These increased understanding of climate change, weather patterns and local impacts. This learning was brought to life in collaboration with NTS Ranger Service and Arran Outdoor centre by taking all 68 the island’s P6/7 pupils to the site of the April 2025 Glen Rosa wildfire to plant over 780 trees.
• We delved deeper into the topic with the S3 Eco Groups. Participants explored the science of global warming, climate impacts across different weather systems, the actions individuals and governments can take, and the unequal impacts of climate change on different communities. Students then led creative sessions designing protest posters and articulating their own climate messaging.
• We worked with the Kings Foundation ‘Food for the Future’ group of pupils. We were able to help them develop a composting project to tackle local food waste. We supported them by sourcing a total of 35 compost bins which they distributed to the community. The project was also recognised nationally! Where the pupils awarded first place in the Community Impact category of the King’s Foundation programme. You can view some press coverage of the project here.
• We collaborated with Wild Food Arran and the NTS Ranger service to deliver an outdoor observation and identification activity for the Young Gnats group. Deepening their engagement with the local environment helped children build confidence in observing, identifying and valuing nature. Strengthening nature connection is a key foundation for climate action, as it fosters a sense of stewardship, responsibility and motivation to care for local places.

The work with Arran’s children and young people showed measurable improvements in Climate understanding. As well as the benefits of positive Climate Action through the Climate Engagement Fund.

Practical Everyday Action through Climate Engagement

We placed a strong focus on helping residents take practical action. This included:

• Distribution of Cosy Home Bundles (LED bulbs, draught-proofing, radiator foil, heated blankets and more) to support energy efficiency
• A series of cooking workshops focused on low-carbon, plant-based meals (#BangInSomeBeans and Veganuary)
• Zero Waste Cafes providing free food, recipe packs and guidance on reducing food waste
• Repair and sewing sessions promoting reuse, textile skills and circular economy behaviours
• The project supported active travel through initiatives such as Saturday Bike Clubs and bike buses to school.
• Cycling engagement activities to build confidence and access to bikes

Energy and Climate Learning Activities

A range of activities supported deeper understanding of climate change and low-carbon solutions. These included:

• Energy advice events with expert partners, offering guidance on insulation, heating systems and renewable technologies
• Low Carbon Home Tours, where residents opened their homes to showcase energy efficiency measures and renewable systems in practice
• A screening of The Power Station, followed by a community discussion on local renewable energy solutions

Community Events and Collaboration

A key highlight was Arran Environment Week and the Arran Climate Festival, which brought together over 30 organisations to deliver 36 satellite events and a large festival day attended by over 320 people. Activities included talks, workshops, film screenings, nature walks, renewable energy showcases and creative sessions. These events created accessible and locally relevant opportunities for residents to engage with climate change and explore solutions.

Key Learnings from The Climate Engagement Fund Project:

The Climate Engagement Fund project strengthened community connections and collaboration, bringing together local organisations, businesses and residents to work towards shared climate goals, helping to build a stronger sense of collective identity around sustainability on the island. Whenever possible, we designed activities to be community-led, while also keeping them informal, inclusive and inspiring. Creating a diverse range of activities and entry points into Climate Action allowed the community to meaningfully engage with the project in ways that mattered to them. 

CEF has had a lasting impact on Arran Eco Savvy as an organisation, shaping the way we approach climate engagement moving forward. We have seen first-hand that meaningful, practical and enjoyable activities are the most effective way to engage people, build confidence and inspire action. This learning has directly influenced the design of future programmes, ensuring that climate action continues to be accessible, positive and embedded within everyday life on Arran. 

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