Transport for London has announced that applications are open for more than £500,000 of grants for community and not-for-profit groups that encourage people to walk and cycle.
Its walking and Cycling Grants London are designed to enable more people to walk and cycle, addressing the barriers that prevent people from getting active and “helping to make London a more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy city”. All projects give participants the chance to connect with their local communities, learn new skills, get active and improve their physical and mental health.
Funded by TfL, in partnership with The London Marathon Foundation, and administered by Groundwork London, the programme offers two types of grants for applicants. Walking and Cycling Grants can provide up to £10,000 over three years to successful applicants that will help kickstart smaller projects throughout London. Applicants will be considered on the potential of their idea to benefit the local community and boost walking and cycling levels, particularly among communities who do not tend to walk or cycle.
Applications for Community Ideas Grants are also open to help kickstart smaller projects across London that are based previous successes in other communities. Potential applicants to the scheme will be able to browse successful former projects on the Community Ideas Hub, and then apply for funding of £5,000 for a single year to replicate these in their local community.
Applicants of both grants will be provided help and support throughout the application process and further support will be given to successful groups during delivery of their projects.
Applications for both grants are now open and can be accessed at wcgl.london. The application window for both grant programmes is open until 17:00 on 1 September 2023. Successful applicants are set to be announced in November 2023. Applicants can visit wcgl.london to find out more about the programme or contact the programme at [email protected]. This year, TfL has also translated the guidance documents for the programme into Romanian, Polish, Bengali, Spanish and Portuguese as well as British Sign Language (BSL) and an easy read version. This will ensure that as many groups as possible can access the guidance and apply to the scheme.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “The Mayor and I want Londoners from all walks of life to feel enabled to walk and cycle, so I’m delighted that even more community groups will now benefit from our walking and cycling grants to boost active travel in underrepresented groups.
“By showing that walking and cycling are convenient, easy and fun ways to get around, we can help improve the health and quality of life of more Londoners, as well as reduce toxic air pollution and tackle the climate crisis. Local community organisations have a key role to play in supporting the Mayor’s aim to continue building a greener, more sustainable London for everyone.”
Miranda Leedham, Head of Customer Marketing and Behaviour Change at TfL, said: “Breaking down the barriers that prevent people accessing the many benefits of walking and cycling is a vital part of making the capital a healthier and more sustainable city for all. We’ve seen more than 68,000 participants benefit from our Walking and Cycling Grants funding since 2016 and are excited to see even more Londoners of all ages and backgrounds get active with our funding scheme.”
Catherine Anderson, Executive Director of the London Marathon Foundation, said: “Our mission at the London Marathon Foundation is to inspire activity, particularly for marginalised communities who may not have the same access to physical activity as others.
“Together with Transport for London, we’ve been able to create opportunities for thousands of people from different communities across London to walk and cycle – supporting their physical and mental wellbeing as well as the environment by travelling more sustainably. We look forward to funding more community groups through Walking and Cycling Grants London and helping many more people to lead active and healthy lives.”
Martin Petry, Grants Manager at Groundwork London said: “Groundwork London is thrilled to partner with TfL and London Marathon Foundation on Walking and Cycling Grants London for the eighth year. The fund has enabled tens of thousands of Londoners to walk and cycle more regularly and safely, and we look forward to supporting projects in 2023/24 to introduce the benefits of walking and cycling to even more people across the capital.”
(Picture – TfL)
