With Scotland hosting COP26 in November there will be a huge amount of energy and debate centred around the climate emergency. This fund will support museums, libraries, and historic environment organisations to engage with the conversations around important climate issues emerging in communities across Scotland. This is an exciting chance to activate and be part of local solutions to an international issue.
The #COP26Conversations Fund will help cultural and historic environment organisations to raise their profile as spaces for communities to engage with the climate challenge and explore positive actions. It is about supporting activity around COP26 to take place in communities across Scotland. Museums, libraries and historic environment organisations are encouraged to apply whether they are new to engaging with climate conversations or have an established climate programme.
The fund will offer grants of up to £1,000 to museums, libraries and historic environment organisations to host community focused events and activities before and during COP26 in November. Applications will close at 5pm on Friday 30 July.
Rachael Rowley, Head of Resources at Museums Galleries Scotland said:
“We are delighted to launch the #COP26Conversations Fund alongside our partners Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Libraries Information Council. This is a fantastic opportunity for cultural and historic environment organisations to engage with their local area in a fun and creative way and we hope that this fund can reach many communities across Scotland. The Race to Zero is something we all need to participate in and connecting with culture and our heritage offers an invaluable way of bringing empathy and understanding to the challenges we are all facing as a result of the human impacts of climate change and the opportunities we have as a sector to create positive change.”
Ewan Hyslop, Head of Technical Research and Science at HES, said:
Through the #COP26Conversations Fund, we are encouraging all organisations across the culture and heritage sectors – from museums and libraries to heritage attractions and landscapes – to engage in conversations on the climate issues emerging in communities across Scotland, and play their part in the journey to a net-zero and climate-resilient Scotland.
“These organisations hold the knowledge, skills and resources to tell Scotland’s climate story in a way that engages and can inspire climate action. To get Scotland to net-zero, we need transformative change, and our cultural heritage has the power to do this through telling new stories about who we are in order to shape our future.”
Pamela Tulloch, CEO of the Scottish Library and Information Council, said:
“The #COP26Conversations Fund is an exciting, creative and timely way for museums, libraries and historic environment organisations to stimulate discussion within local communities throughout Scotland on the important issue of climate change. The climate emergency affects us all and by working together we can gain a better understanding of the important issues we face now and in the future.”
The #COP26Conversations Fund is open until 30 July.
About Museums Galleries Scotland
Museums Galleries Scotland is the National Development Body for museums and galleries in Scotland and offers strategic development support to the sector. Supporting museums and galleries to respond to the climate emergency is one of four business priority areas identified by Museums Galleries Scotland.
About Scottish Library and Information Council
The Scottish Library and Information Council is the independent advisory body to the Scottish Government on library and information matters. SLIC supports members through service innovation, funding innovation & informative research.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. We will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
- Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
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Stacey Dent
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