The University of Edinburgh has been shortlisted for two Green Gown Awards for its Community Access to Rooms scheme and Regenerative Sustainability Strategy. Empowering community groups with the use of University spaces The Community Access to Rooms scheme has been nominated in the ‘Benefitting Society’ category. Launched in 2022, the scheme offers local community groups and organisations University rooms free of charge outside of core business hours, and remains the largest and most systematic space ’meanwhile use’ scheme offered by any UK university. The Scheme is delivered by the University’s Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability in partnership with the University’s Estates Department. We’re delighted that the Green Gown Awards have recognised our pioneering Community Access to Rooms Scheme, of which we’re incredibly proud. Colleagues from across the University have collaborated to ensure the success of the scheme, and the response from our communities is a testament to our collective efforts. Gemma Gourlay Head of Social Impact To date, 200 local groups and organisations have used space totalling over 10,500 hours. Beneficiary groups have included English language classes for New Scots (including refugees and asylum seekers), neighbourhood associations, crochet clubs, choirs, and grassroots theatre companies. As well as providing significant financial savings by eliminating room hire fees, feedback from scheme users shows that the scheme has reduced social isolation, strengthened community bonds and supported the local arts sector. 53% of groups reflected that having access to University rooms has led to reduced isolation and enabled them to connect with others and meet more regularly.Users have shared their positive experiences of the scheme: “Allowing us into the University's facilities creates a covenant with the local community. It signals that the University genuinely cares about the people of Edinburgh, not only the students and staff connected to the university.” “It is such a phenomenal idea to ensure that community and voluntary sector organisations operating on shoestring budgets have access to spaces which help them progress their work.” Find our more about Community Access to Rooms Read our Community Plan 2025-30 Local theatre group The Edin Bards use the Community Access to Rooms Scheme for rehearsal spaces. The Welcoming run English classes for New Scots and use University spaces outside of teaching hours. The Existentialist Philosophy Reading Group are a community group who also use University spaces. Climate Action: Towards a regenerative University The University’s Regenerative Sustainability Strategy 2025-2040 has been nominated in the ‘Climate 2030’ category. The strategy is a step-change in action and ambition for environmental sustainability - going beyond traditional approaches to sustainability as limiting environmental harm, to proactive environmental regeneration. It commits to: a 1.5°c aligned decarbonisation pathway, using 5-year carbon budgets, across scope 1,2 and all scope 3 emissions en route to net negative carbon; ecologically regenerate an area of land five times the combined area of our campuses; span all University activities, including learning and teaching, research and innovation, operations and people and culture; and to go beyond carbon tunnel vision to action on chemical pollution, water and resource use. Read the University’s Regenerative Sustainability Strategy The Strategy was developed between 2022 and 2025 and involved hundreds of students and staff through extensive consultation. The University is now training over 5000 students and staff in sustainability per year, and has committed to making credit-bearing study of sustainability available to any student, whichever course they choose to study. Sustainability trainingIn addition, over 5,000 people, including students, staff and community groups, have engaged in the University’s Forest and Peatlands Programme, whether as students, researchers, or volunteers. Forest and Peatlands ProgrammeThe wild campus programme has introduced over 7,000m2 of wildflower meadows to sites across the University’s estate, whilst working with partners like Students Organising for Sustainability UK to deliver sustainable farming and conservation activities on the University’s land. Wild campus About the Green Gown Awards The UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards recognise, celebrate and showcase exceptional sustainability initiatives from universities, colleges and other post-16 institutions across the UK and Ireland. Established in 2004, the awards have become one of the most prestigious recognitions of leading sustainability practice within the further and higher education sector. The awards are delivered by EAUC in partnership with UKRI. They are governed by a steering group made up of organisations across post-16 education. The Green Gown Awards Ceremony will take place in November this year. Green Gown Awards UK and Ireland: 2026 finalists This article was published on Wednesday 5 August 2026
