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Apply for Community and Shared Transport Small Grants  Program (UK)

Deadline: 23-Dec-2025

The Motability Foundation Community and Shared Transport Small Grants provide £50,000–£149,999 for UK organisations to maintain, expand, or improve transport services for disabled people. Funding supports staffing, volunteers, vehicles, essential training, and other operational costs, focusing on underserved or deprived areas to improve accessibility and equity.

Motability Foundation: Community and Shared Transport Small Grants

Overview

The Motability Foundation has launched a grant programme to strengthen community and shared transport services for disabled people across the UK. The initiative targets small to medium-sized organisations, helping them sustain and expand operations that enable independence and mobility.

Funding can be used to:

  • Maintain or scale existing transport services

  • Launch small-scale projects to increase access for disabled users

  • Build organisational capacity through staffing, volunteers, and training

Why It Matters

Disabled individuals often face transport barriers, including limited services, accessibility challenges, and geographic disparities. These grants aim to:

  • Improve access to transport in underserved or deprived areas

  • Support operational sustainability of small and community-based transport services

  • Enhance mobility, independence, and inclusion for disabled people

Who is Eligible?

Eligible organisations include:

  • Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs)

  • Incorporated charities, community interest companies (CICs), or community benefit societies

  • Organisations with at least three years of operational experience

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Annual income of at least £50,000 over the past three years

  • Free reserves covering at least three months of expenditure

  • Strong governance and organisational stability

Grant Funding Details

  • Funding Amount: £50,000 – £149,999 per project

  • Project Duration: 1–3 years

  • Funding Can Cover:

    • Staffing and volunteer expenses

    • Vehicle purchase, maintenance, or leasing

    • Essential training such as MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme)

    • Operational costs critical for delivering services

    • Programme improvements and capacity building

Focus Areas / Priorities

The grant supports projects that:

  1. Deliver or expand dial-a-ride, volunteer car schemes, or non-emergency patient transport

  2. Increase transport access in underserved or deprived areas

  3. Train staff or volunteers to improve safety and service quality

  4. Strengthen the long-term resilience of shared transport organisations

  5. Develop scalable or replicable approaches to community transport

How to Apply / What to Do

  1. Prepare Your Proposal: Clearly outline objectives, target communities, planned activities, and expected outcomes.

  2. Demonstrate Organisational Capacity: Provide evidence of legal status, financial stability, and operational history of at least three years.

  3. Detail Funding Use: Specify how the grant will be used for staffing, vehicles, training, and operational improvements.

  4. Submit Application: Follow the Motability Foundation’s official application process and deadlines.

  5. Evaluation: Applications are assessed on impact, scalability, alignment with priorities, and organisational robustness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to demonstrate legal constitution or organisational stability

  • Submitting proposals without a clear plan for impact on disabled users

  • Ignoring the sustainability or scalability of transport services

  • Omitting a detailed budget or breakdown of funding allocation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply?
UK-based charities, DDPOs, CICs, or community benefit societies operating for at least three years.

2. What is the funding range?
£50,000 – £149,999 per project.

3. How long can a project last?
1 to 3 years.

4. What types of transport projects are supported?
Dial-a-ride services, volunteer car schemes, non-emergency patient transport, and other community transport initiatives.

5. Can funding cover training and volunteers?
Yes, including MiDAS training, staff and volunteer costs, and other operational expenses.

6. Are organisations in deprived areas prioritised?
Yes, projects serving underserved or deprived regions are especially encouraged.

7. Who benefits from this grant?
Disabled people across the UK, with particular focus on those facing transport barriers in underrepresented or deprived areas.

Conclusion

The Motability Foundation Community and Shared Transport Small Grants offer a vital opportunity for organisations to enhance or expand transport services for disabled individuals. By funding staffing, vehicles, and essential training, the programme supports immediate impact and long-term resilience, contributing to greater independence, inclusion, and equity in the UK’s transport sector.

For more information, visit Motability Foundation.