Deadline: 06-Feb-2026
The People and Place Community Grant Fund provides £5,000–£50,000 to community organisations in the SEStran region to deliver active and sustainable transport projects. Funding supports initiatives that promote walking, cycling, public and shared transport, and accessibility, focusing on schools, workplaces, and underrepresented groups to encourage long-term behaviour change.
Overview
The People and Place Community Grant Fund supports community-led projects that promote active and sustainable travel across the SEStran region. The initiative encourages practical alternatives to private car use, including walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport, and shared transport, either as single-mode or multi-modal approaches.
Funding Themes and Objectives
The fund focuses on three key themes:
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Schools and Young People: Projects that encourage active and sustainable travel for students and families, including interventions in Scottish schools.
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Workplaces: Initiatives that enable staff and volunteers to adopt active and sustainable commuting options.
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Accessibility and Inclusion: Projects that address barriers to sustainable travel for underrepresented groups, considering cost, culture, health, ability, social perception, and geographic location.
The fund aims to support community-led solutions that deliver measurable benefits and promote long-term behaviour change in travel choices.
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include:
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Active Travel Initiatives: Community bike or e-bike share schemes, improvements to cycling facilities at community destinations, training and engagement sessions that build confidence in cycling, walking, and wheeling.
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Sustainable Transport Projects: Shared transport initiatives, car clubs, car sharing schemes, and awareness campaigns promoting sustainable travel.
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Multi-Modal Approaches: Travel planning, pop-up mobility hubs integrating public and shared transport, and community-based promotional and awareness-raising activities.
Funding Information
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Funding Range: £5,000–£50,000 per project
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Eligible Organisations: Community groups, voluntary organisations, registered charities, social enterprises, community benefit societies, and community interest companies.
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Ineligible Applicants: Local authorities, public bodies, and businesses are not eligible to apply.
How to Apply
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Verify Eligibility: Ensure your organisation is a community-based group, charity, social enterprise, community benefit society, or CIC.
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Identify Funding Theme: Select a theme that aligns with your project—schools, workplaces, or accessibility and inclusion.
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Develop Project Proposal: Include clear objectives, expected outcomes, activities, timelines, and budget.
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Demonstrate Community Impact: Explain how your project will deliver measurable benefits and encourage long-term travel behaviour change.
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Submit Application: Follow the SEStran application guidelines before the deadline.
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Review Process: Applications are assessed on relevance, feasibility, impact, sustainability, and alignment with fund priorities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Applying as a business, local authority, or public body
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Submitting a project that does not clearly promote active or sustainable travel
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Failing to demonstrate measurable community benefits
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Ignoring accessibility and inclusion considerations
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Overlooking alignment with SEStran regional priorities
FAQ: People and Place Community Grant Fund
1. What is the funding range? £5,000–£50,000 per project.
2. Who can apply? Community groups, voluntary organisations, registered charities, social enterprises, community benefit societies, and community interest companies.
3. Are local authorities or businesses eligible? No, they cannot apply.
4. What types of projects are supported? Active travel, sustainable transport, multi-modal initiatives, and awareness-raising campaigns.
5. What is the geographic scope? Projects must be located within the SEStran region.
6. Can projects focus on inclusion? Yes, projects that address barriers for underrepresented groups are eligible.
7. Are schools included in the funding focus? Yes, projects promoting active travel among students and families are prioritized under the schools theme.
Why It Matters
The People and Place Community Grant Fund encourages sustainable travel behaviour across the SEStran region, reducing reliance on private vehicles, promoting healthier lifestyles, and supporting environmental sustainability. By focusing on schools, workplaces, and inclusion, the fund ensures that everyone has access to safe and sustainable travel options.
Conclusion
This funding opportunity enables community organisations to deliver impactful, measurable, and inclusive transport initiatives. By applying, groups can promote walking, cycling, public, and shared transport, enhance accessibility, and contribute to long-term behavioural change, creating a more sustainable and connected SEStran region.
For more information, visit South East of Scotland Transport Partnership.