One donation, twice the impact with the Big Give

We are delighted to announce that we have been chosen to take part in The Big Give's 2023 Green Match Fund.

The Green Match Fund was designed specifically for charities working on environmental issues. For one week (20 April - 27 April) donations made to us through the Green Match Fund will be doubled and these donations will support our Climate and Nature Friendly Neighbourhoods project.

Just 100 donations of £25 will see us reach our target. We're asking you to donate whatever you can afford which will be matched through the Big Give, doubling the impact of your gift.

Our fundraising target is £2,500 and if we meet this it will be doubled meaning we raise £5,000 for our work to inspire action to protect and enhance places that matter to communities across Scotland.

We know that our natural and built heritage is under threat. Scotland is facing a climate, nature and litter emergency. We are striving to achieve ambitious targets to combat climate change, restore nature and biodiversity, and tackle litter and waste, but more needs to be done. Fledgling community projects can find it hard to access support and recognition, but people and communities are key to supporting the changes we need to create a clean, green and sustainable Scotland.

The money we raise through the Big Give will support community groups across Scotland to improve their local spaces for the benefit of all, through direct action like litter picks, growing trees, fruit and veg, and creating spaces for people and nature to come together.

We’ll inspire communities to transform the smallest patch of derelict land or street or even whole neighbourhoods, villages and towns. We’ll provide free mentoring visits and advice, online support sessions, and celebrate achievements through an awards framework.

Our key objectives are to:

• Grow the It’s Your Neighbourhood network;
• Inspire climate and nature action;
• Enhance support for groups;
• Celebrate success; and
• Empower volunteers.

We know our communities, from the islands to the Borders, thrive when they share ideas and provide peer learning to help brighten up and build more resilient local neighbourhoods. We want to grow this network, particularly in harder to reach communities.

We’ll inspire people from all generations and backgrounds to create more beautiful climate friendly spaces for people and nature through Q&A sessions, workshops and training to empower action and encourage growing by distributing native #BeeDiverse pollinator seeds.

Our e-newsletter is full of inspiring stories, information and funding links. We’ll create new content for social media, making these tips more accessible. We also provide support by email/phone and connect people with others who share the same challenges or vision.

The invaluable work that communities do to clean and green Scotland is often not celebrated. By expanding It’s Your Neighbourhood to new places we can celebrate achievements throughout the year on social media, at local celebration events, in the press and at our annual awards.

We work with dedicated, experienced volunteer assessors who visit each group annually, highlighting achievements and providing recommendations. We’ll provide training and support empowering them to help the community volunteers making a difference in their own neighbourhoods.

We aim to support all demographics, particularly groups in areas of high deprivation where people are disproportionately affected by poor environmental quality and lack of greenspace.

Juliette Camburn, Senior Officer, Community Initiatives, said: "We're really excited to be part of this fantastic opportunity for any donations to be match funded through The Big Give for the week between 20 April and 27 April.

"All money donated will enable our team at Keep Scotland Beautiful to do even more to celebrate, recognise, connect and support all the groups and the excellent work they do to improve and enhance their local environment.

"Every donation, no matter the size, will go a long way and I'd like to thank everyone in advance for their wonderful support."

Visit the Big Give website to make a donation and support us to continue our work.

For a flavour of what we do through It's Your Neighbourhood you can watch this video or read Bonnie Dundee member Catherine Lawson's fantastic blog about the benefits of being part of the IYN family. Sandy Scott also shared his enjoyment at seeing community groups we support thrive and grow.

Visit It's Your Neighbourhood | Keep Scotland Beautiful for more information.