A new fund providing grants of up to £100,000 for active travel projects has been launched by Active Travel England (ATE).
The Active Travel Innovation Fund allows small to medium-sized businesses and NGOs to bid for a share of £1m intended to support the delivery of ‘bold and innovative’ initiatives that make active travel accessible to more people.
Along with funding, successful applicants can also expect to receive ‘practical support’ from both ATE and the Government Grant Managed Service (GGMS), which ATE states could include help building partnerships, connecting with new stakeholders or establishing ways to track the success of projects.
The funding periods for successful projects will run for 12 months, with an evaluation process following this, where organisations will be asked to share a case study and final report on the impact made by the funding.
Chris Boardman, national active travel commissioner, said: ‘The Active Travel Innovation Fund will help turn great ideas into real improvements for people who walk, wheel, or cycle. Enabling more people to get about under their own steam is one of the most important interventions we can make to improve the nation’s health, so it’s crucial that we support bold projects that will help us do this.’
The minister for local transport, Lilian Greenwood, added: ‘Walking, wheeling, and cycling bring huge physical and mental health benefits. We are determined to make them easy and safe choices for people across the country.
‘The government is providing £1 million to back bold projects from small businesses and community groups to encourage more people to choose these healthier, more active, options for short journeys. We’re building a healthy, sustainable and joined-up network, a key part of our Plan for Change to boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS.’
Those wishing to apply to this fund can do so until 14 November 2025. More information on who is eligible and how to apply can be found here.
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