What Green Action Trust does

Green Action Trust is a Scottish environmental regeneration charity founded in 1985 (originally as Central Scotland Countryside Trust) and registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO No. SC015341) regulated by OSCR. Headquartered in Stepps with 11-50 employees, the organisation delivers nature-based environmental solutions across Scotland, with a portfolio of six core service areas: urban greenspace creation, woodland and forestry, vacant and derelict land regeneration, green active travel, sustainable water management (including raingardens), and habitat and biodiversity restoration. Accumulated outcomes since 1985 include over 20 million trees planted, 8,000 hectares of woodland created, and over half a million tonnes of CO2 sequestered.

The organisation's technology stack is centred on domain expertise rather than proprietary software: GIS-based spatial analysis supports project planning and site intelligence, while practical environmental engineering, landscape architecture, and ecological survey capabilities underpin delivery. Signature initiatives include the 10,000 Raingardens for Scotland campaign, the Central Scotland Green Network (a 40-year programme covering 10,000 sq km covering 65% of Scotland's population), the Clyde Climate Forest (18 million trees targeted over a decade across Glasgow City Region), and the Leven Programme in Fife. The organisation is nationally recognised, holding RTPI Scotland 2023 Overall Winner, VIBES SEBA 2022, and Green Flag Climate Adaptation 2022 awards.

Green Action Trust operates a commissioned services business model with three pricing tiers: end-to-end solutions (multi-year full project delivery), specialist services (pay-as-you-go individual components such as feasibility studies, GIS analysis, ecological surveys, and grant administration), and long-term strategic partnerships. Revenue is derived from public sector clients including 19 of Scotland's 32 local authorities (Falkirk, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Fife, East Ayrshire among them) and national agencies (NatureScot, SEPA, Scottish Forestry, Forestry and Land Scotland). The organisation also administers grant programmes on behalf of the Scottish Government and other funders, having administered nearly £8 million in grants over the past decade, including the Growing Food Together Fund (£2M+ to nearly 100 groups since 2010). As a non-profit, no equity funding is involved; financial partnerships include National Lottery Heritage Fund, Scottish Government Renewable Energy Fund, and others.

Name

Green Action Trust

Legal name

Green Action Trust

Website

https://greenactiontrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Green Action Trust is a Scottish environmental regeneration charity delivering nature-based solutions including urban greenspace, woodland creation, sustainable water management, and habitat restoration for local authorities, national agencies, and public sector partners across Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Regeneration Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Environmental regeneration services
• Urban greenspace development
• Woodland and forestry management
• Sustainable water management
• Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Headquarters

HQ city

Shotts

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Environmental Project Services: Fees generated through commissioned environmental regeneration projects, including end-to-end solutions, specialist services, and project delivery for public sector clients. Revenue comes from local authorities, government agencies, and public bodies.
2. Grant Administration: The organization administers grants on behalf of clients and partners, including Scottish Government and private sector funds distributed to communities, voluntary organisations, and schools. Nearly £8 million administered over the past decade, including the Growing Food Together Fund.
3. Partnership and Programme Delivery: Revenue from long-term partnership arrangements where the organization acts as lead delivery partner on large-scale environmental programmes such as the Central Scotland Green Network and Leven Programme.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Green Action Trust delivers end-to-end environmental regeneration services across Scotland, covering urban greenspace creation, woodland and forestry management, transformation of vacant and derelict land, sustainable water management (including rain gardens), habitat and biodiversity restoration, and green active travel infrastructure. The organisation combines strategic programme coordination with on-the-ground delivery, working primarily with Scottish local authorities, national public bodies, and partner organisations to design, fund, and implement environmental regeneration projects.

Product overview

Green Action Trust is a Scottish environmental regeneration charity offering a portfolio of interconnected environmental solutions and professional services. The core offerings consist of six environmental solution areas (Urban Greenspace, Woodland & Forestry, Vacant & Derelict Land, Green Active Travel, Sustainable Water Management, and Habitat & Biodiversity) that can be commissioned individually or as part of integrated projects. These are supported by three service delivery models: End-to-End Solutions (complete project delivery), Specialist Services (individual services like planning, design, GIS, project delivery, and programme management), and long-term Partner with Us arrangements. The organization also drives major partnership programmes including the Central Scotland Green Network, Clyde Climate Forest, and Leven Programme, and administers grant programmes such as the Growing Food Together Fund and the 10,000 Raingardens for Scotland campaign.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Urban Greenspace Design, development, and management of urban greenspace for local authorities and public-sector clients across Scotland.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 million trees planted and 8,000 hectares of woodland created since 1985
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Falkirk CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership delivering greenspace strategies and vacant/derelict land projects including Lionthorn Bing (£780,000) and Zetland Park Raingarden (£124,000). Multiple phases of collaborative project delivery.
• Glasgow City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner for woodland creation and greenspace projects including Cart & Kittoch Woodland (£292,000), Avenue End Road (£535,000), and Cadder Woods regeneration.
• NatureScotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner for nature conservation projects including Zetland Park Raingarden (Nature Restoration Fund), habitat restoration initiatives, and Nature Networks pilot programme.
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for river catchment solutions, water environment improvements, and projects funded through SEPA's Water Environment Fund for urban river restoration.
• North Lanarkshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Shotts Nature Park improvements (£42,133.56), Wishawhill Wood Pump Track (£295,610), and ongoing greenspace management projects.
• West Dunbartonshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Faifley Knowes Greenspace (£500,000 final phase) delivering accessibility and biodiversity improvements across the 19-hectare site.
• Fife CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for Leven Programme delivering riverside regeneration and active travel infrastructure along the River Leven in Fife.
• Inverclyde CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for St Ninian's Greenspace (£249,375 secured) transforming a former school site in Gourock into community greenspace.
• Scottish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner providing funding through Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, Nature Restoration Fund, and other environmental programmes.
• Scottish ForestrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for woodland creation funding and forestry project support including Cart & Kittoch Woodland and Clyde Climate Forest.
• The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for woodland creation projects including Cart & Kittoch Woodland delivery, providing volunteer coordination and community engagement support.
• Lost Woods ProjectsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Cart & Kittoch Woodland creation, collaborating on Glasgow Children's Woodland initiative involving 151 schools.
• SocialtracksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise partner for Wishawhill Wood Pump Track, providing cycling development outreach in schools and communities.
• Cumnock Action PlansecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Cumnock Memory Garden (£163,000), delivering dementia-friendly greenspace for older residents.
• East Ayrshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Cumnock Memory Garden and Kilmacolm Community Woodland projects, supporting place-based investment.
• Stirling CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner for environmental projects within the Central Scotland Green Network area.
• East Dunbartonshire CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner for environmental projects and greenspace improvements.
• Clackmannanshire CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner within the Central Scotland Green Network area.
• Scottish WatersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner supporting woodland creation projects including additional tree planting at Cart & Kittoch through Business Stream.
• Forestry and Land ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner for woodland and forestry initiatives across Scotland.
• Scottish CanalssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Cadder Woods project connecting to the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath and active travel routes.
• Seven Lochs Wetland ParksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Avenue End Road Greenspace Enhancement (£535,000) through National Lottery Heritage Fund via the Seven Lochs Project.
• Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National ParksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational park authority partner for environmental projects in the western region.
• Cairngorms National Park AuthoritysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational park authority partner for environmental initiatives.
• Marine ScotlandsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for marine and coastal environmental projects.
• Scottish Land CommissionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body partner for land use and environmental regeneration initiatives.
• Crofting CommissionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body partner for land and environmental projects.
• Fife Coast & Countryside TrustsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust partner for Leven Programme River Park delivery, providing coastal and countryside management expertise.
• PatersonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner supporting environmental projects.
• DalmahoyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner for environmental initiatives.
• Shire Housing AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner for Cumnock Memory Garden Phase 1.
• Archaeology ScotlandsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Leven Programme River Park, providing heritage expertise.
• DiageominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner for Leven Programme River Park delivery.
• Community Woodlands AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership and collaboration on woodland creation and community woodland initiatives.
• Native Woodlands Action GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for woodland creation and improvement partnerships.
• Riverwoods InitiativesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership initiative for woodland creation along river corridors.
• Council of Voluntary Organisations East AyrshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal CVS partner for Cumnock Memory Garden Phase 2.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Forestry and Land Scotland: Scottish Government agency managing the national forest estate and supporting woodland creation and forestry skills. Comparable as a government-backed forestry delivery body and partner, operating at greater scale in direct forestry operations but with narrower focus than Green Action Trust's broader regeneration mandate.
• RSPB: The UK's largest nature conservation charity, operating a major network of nature reserves and a substantial conservation science and policy function. Comparable as a broad environmental charity with overlapping focus on habitat restoration, biodiversity, and policy delivery, though with a much larger scale and national footprint.
• Sweco UK: Major international engineering and environmental consultancy with a UK practice spanning environmental planning, landscape architecture, and sustainability advisory. Comparable as a competitor for commissioned environmental and landscape design services from Scottish local authorities, though operating as a commercial consultancy rather than a charity.
• NatureScot: Scottish Government agency responsible for Scotland's nature and landscapes, providing funding, policy direction, and national reserves. Comparable as a Scottish environmental organisation and core Green Action Trust partner; acts as both collaborator and (in some areas) potential competitor for programme delivery.

Direct peers

• Trees for Cities: UK charity focused on urban tree planting and greening in cities, delivering urban forestry and community engagement projects. Comparable as a charity delivering woodland/urban greenspace solutions at scale through partnerships with local authorities and corporate funders.
• The Wildlife Trusts: A federation of 46 local wildlife trusts across the UK delivering nature conservation, habitat management, and environmental engagement. Highly comparable as a UK charity network delivering habitat creation, biodiversity projects, and greenspace enhancement for local authorities and communities.
• Groundwork UK: A federation of independent Groundwork trusts delivering environmental regeneration, greenspace creation, and community engagement across England and Wales. Directly comparable as a charity-led network providing nature-based solutions, vacant land regeneration, and partnership programme delivery for local authorities.
• Woodland Trust: The UK's largest woodland conservation charity, focused on tree planting, woodland protection, and woodland management across the UK. Directly comparable as a charity-led forestry and woodland creation organisation with similar funding models (grants, donations, partnerships) and overlapping solution areas (woodland creation, habitat restoration).
• Scottish Wildlife Trust: Scotland's leading nature conservation charity, managing a network of nature reserves and delivering habitat restoration, species protection, and conservation policy advocacy. Directly comparable as a Scottish-headquartered environmental charity serving overlapping public sector and community clients.
• The Conservation Volunteers (TCV): UK environmental charity delivering practical conservation, community engagement, and green space management. Already a Green Action Trust partner on Cart & Kittoch Woodland; directly comparable as a delivery partner for woodland creation and habitat restoration with public sector clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GreenActionT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/green-action-trust

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Green Action Trust