£1 million fund for projects that enable active travel

Organisations and businesses can bid for a share of £1 million in funding to help them to enable more active travel, such as walking, wheeling or cycling, Active Travel England (ATE) has announced.

The Active Travel Innovation Fund is inviting applications from small to medium-sized businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), with grants of up to £100,000 available for each successful project.

Examples could include community projects that help under-represented groups make more active travel choices, partnerships between councils and local communities or businesses to promote sustainable travel, or digital tools that improve safety and accessibility.

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 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.

"We’re excited to see the creativity and ambition of applicants and look forward to working closely with the selected organisations to deliver positive and lasting change to the way people travel."

The Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said: "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."

In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive practical support from ATE and the Government Grant Managed Service (GGMS). This could include help with building partnerships, connecting with new stakeholders, or setting up ways to measure and track the success of their projects.

The funding period of projects will run for 12 months, followed by an evaluation process, with each organisation asked to share a case study and final report into how the funds have made an impact.