Opportunities

Seed funding for Local Groups is available now

If you're part of a registered Transition Group, you can apply now for Micro-grants and Full grants to cover costs and projects running throughout 2026.

Art: Nun Digital

Dear Transitioners in Local Groups,

We know that you are doing fantastic work in responding to the challenges of the climate crisis, social injustice, and inequality. We also recognise that there are very real capacity and resource needs involved in carrying out this vital work.

This year, Transition Network International is issuing its first seed funding call dedicated to local groups worldwide. From 2014 to 2020, all international seed funding opportunities were limited to official Transition Hubs.

We heard many inspiring stories about how even a small amount of funding can make a huge difference. From the feedback and reports we received, we believe this support helps grow the capacity of Transition groups, strengthen the movement in different countries, and encourage the sharing of learning across our network.

We want to use this opportunity as an experiment. We know that the amount of money available this year is small, but it still feels valuable to share it with local groups around the world. We see this as a chance to experience the process in a light, reflective way — one that we hope will pave the way for more abundant regranting opportunities in the future.

What we are offering

🌱 Local Groups micro-grants 100 GBP - 500 GBP
To cover small project costs such as facilitator fees, a zoom account, tools or travel.
🌱 Local Groups Full Grants 500 - 1500 GBP
To support you to set up a new project, cover core staff costs or launch a community led social enterprise.

This Seed funding is for Transition Groups registered with Transition Network International or with their Transition Hub.

If you are a member of a Transition Hub looking for Seed Funds, please go to the ‘Transition Hubs Group’ Community Waves space (previously named Transition Platform), there is a specific call open for you.

All the information you need to apply

We understand how these processes can be complicated sometimes. We tried to make this application process as simple and easy as possible, using a short online form. Groups can make more than one application and can apply for more than one type of grant.

Details of the Local Groups' Seed Funding Round

Amount

Allocated

Description

Phasing

Notes

Up to £15.000

Local Groups Seed-funding Grants - funding round 2025

Released: 7 November 2025

Deadline for applications: 20 December 20:00 UTC

Application form

Apply here

Criteria for funding decisions

Eligibility
To be eligible for a Seed Funding grant you first need to be registered as an initiative on the Transition Network International website, or in a Transition Hub website (if there is one in your territory) , with up-to-date information (inc. functioning email, website, link to social media profiles if existing, etc), for at least 5 weeks prior to the end of the application deadline. This is a simple gateway to tell us that you understand and practice Transition Principles in your work.
Timescale
Applications will be open between 7 November 2025 and 20 December 2025 (closing at 20:00 UTC).
Groups are asked to complete the projects by 1 February 2027 with a report.
Criteria for scoring funding decisions
We’ll take account of the following criteria and weighting when allocating funds:

Criteria for Seed Funding round Spring 2025/26	Weighting	Maximum Score
How long has the group been in existence and registered? Is their map registration info complete and up to date?	2	20
How has this group engaged with their hub or the wider movement?	2	20
How strong the project idea is in EITHER Strengthening local resilience and regeneration; or Piloting an innovative idea for a meaningful and impactful change	5	50
How well is the project idea adapted to the place/context in developing local resilience/regeneration.	4	40
Capacity of the local group to successfully do the project (Demonstrate the people involved, with time? Skills and enthusiasm? Not a clash with other priorities or commitments)	4	40
How well the project engages relevant people in co-creation, collaboration or collective inspiration.	3	30
Does the project have a balance between Head, Heart and Hands?	3	30
How aligned this project is with the principles/values and characteristics of Transition?	3	30
How well will the project share learnings and peer-support with other local groups/movement?	3	30
Total maximum weighted score		290

EXTRA CRITERION: the decision-making team will try to ensure a balanced and fair distribution of the Seed Funding - both geographical and the diversity of areas of work.

Funding round 2025 - deadlines, timings, how and when to apply and report

🟡 07 November 2025: TNi launches information to all hubs and registered local Groups with links to the Application form.

🟡 20 December 2025 (20:00 UTC): Deadline for applications. We will contact you with questions about your application as needed.

🟡 We aim to have a decision of the distribution of the grants by Friday, January 30th 2026.

If the funding request has been unsuccessful, we’ll notify you by email.
If it has been successful:
- we will send a grant offer letter document confirming the funding and its purpose
- you accept the conditions of the grant and give us up-to-date instructions on how to transfer the money
- we transfer the money as per instructions

🟡 February 2026 - Start of the project

🟡 February 2027 - End of the project
We will request a short report on the work done by February 1st 2027.

Regarding travel costs

Regarding travel, we’ll always encourage you to take the lower carbon options, and we’ll leave it to your own discretion as to which option you choose.

Apply here to Transition Groups Seed Funding

Any issues?

Contact Filipa (filipapimentel@transitionnetwork.org) anytime to discuss, if you have any questions.