Corstorphine in Bloom is a community action group working with the Corstorphine and Clermiston Community Council and five parks. We are working to a modern devolved model; low-cost, low-bureaucracy, high impact. As an action group we have no bank account of our own although our partners do.
The approach is
Organisations use their own funding to finance planters and plants that they manage. There are various funds that will provide grants and we can advise on that.
Businesses are encouraged to invest in hanging baskets and can sponsor planters with an advert saying they have done so. They buy materials direct. This works in other towns across Scotland and the council have a policy on this.
Individuals or families can volunteer to manage a planter funded by others or they can contribute towards the cost.
In March 2026 the City of Edinburgh council have indicated that we may get Visitor Levy money (hotel tax) if the community is engaged. The key is having enough people from Corstorphine saying they support this.
Tools and equipment we expect people to bring (eg hand trowel, gloves)
Other forms of funding
- Sponsorship: £50–£150 per planter from local businesses.
- Grants: Edinburgh Council community funds, Tesco Bags of Help, Lottery “Awards for All”.
- Donations: cash tins in shops, JustGiving page.
- In-kind: compost, plants, tools from garden centres (e.g. B and Q, Dobbies).