People and Place Grant Fund for Sustainable Transport Projects (UK)

Deadline: 06-Feb-2026

The SEStran People and Place Grant Fund supports organisations delivering projects that drive active and sustainable travel behaviour change across South East Scotland. Grants target inclusive, accessible initiatives aligned with strategic objectives in SEStran’s People and Place Delivery Plan, ensuring compliance with equality and inclusion requirements.

Overview

The SEStran People and Place Grant Fund provides funding to public bodies, charities, and community organisations to implement projects that promote active and sustainable travel across the region. The fund emphasizes behaviour change through targeted interventions identified in the People and Place Delivery Plan. Projects must also comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty, including ending unlawful behaviour under the Equality Act 2010, advancing equal opportunities, and fostering good relations among individuals with and without protected characteristics.

Funding Objectives

The fund aims to:

• Deliver strategic active and sustainable travel behaviour change across South East Scotland

• Support inclusive and accessible projects aligned with regional objectives

• Encourage compliance with equality, diversity, and inclusion principles

• Promote community-led solutions that address sustainable transport and behavioural change

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must be organisations capable of delivering significant behaviour change initiatives, including:

• Public bodies, charities, and community organisations (local authorities are excluded)

• Demonstrated experience in sustainable transport behaviour change projects

• Evidence of appropriate governance, financial management, insurance coverage, and project team competence

• Organisations seeking onward funding must meet the same eligibility requirements

Specific community organisation requirements include:

• A signed constitution

• Minimum of three unrelated board members

• Valid public liability insurance

• Financial solvency supported by recent accounts

• Project team of at least two people responsible for project delivery, finance, and administration

Project Requirements

• Projects must have a minimum value of £50,000 to ensure sufficient scale and regional impact

• Must fall within one or more predefined scopes set out in the People and Place Delivery Plan

• Coherent projects spanning multiple scopes must submit a single application indicating funding allocation across scopes

• Projects must demonstrate full inclusivity and accessibility with clear consideration of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles

How to Apply

1. Verify Eligibility: Ensure your organisation meets the governance, financial, and team requirements.

2. Identify Project Scope: Align your project with one or more scopes in the People and Place Delivery Plan.

3. Develop Proposal: Include objectives, expected outcomes, budget allocation, project team roles, and timelines.

4. Demonstrate Inclusion: Show how your project meets equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.

5. Submit Application: Follow SEStran submission guidelines and deadlines.

6. Review Process: Applications are assessed based on relevance, scale, inclusivity, feasibility, and alignment with regional objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying if your organisation lacks proper governance or financial management

• Submitting projects below the minimum value of £50,000

• Ignoring equality, diversity, and inclusion requirements

• Submitting multiple applications for projects spanning multiple scopes

• Failing to provide evidence of organisational capacity or insurance coverage

FAQ: SEStran People and Place Grant Fund

1. Who can apply? Public bodies, charities, and community organisations with proven experience in sustainable travel behaviour change projects.
2. Are local authorities eligible? No, local authorities are funded through a separate route.
3. What is the minimum project value? £50,000 to ensure sufficient scale and regional impact.
4. Can a project cover multiple scopes? Yes, but a single application must indicate funding allocation across scopes.
5. What governance requirements must community organisations meet? Signed constitution, minimum three unrelated board members, public liability insurance, financial solvency, and competent project team.
6. Are inclusivity and accessibility required? Yes, all projects must fully comply with equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.
7. Can organisations receive onward funding? Yes, but they must meet the same eligibility criteria as initial applicants.

Why It Matters

This fund encourages organisations to promote sustainable travel behaviour change while ensuring projects are inclusive, accessible, and compliant with equality requirements. By supporting initiatives aligned with the People and Place Delivery Plan, SEStran enables long-term behavioural, environmental, and social impact across South East Scotland.

Conclusion

The SEStran People and Place Grant Fund provides a strategic opportunity for organisations to deliver large-scale, inclusive, and sustainable transport projects. By focusing on behaviour change, governance, and equality, funded initiatives can create lasting regional impact, foster active travel, and contribute to a more connected and sustainable South East Scotland.

For more information, visit South East of Scotland Transport Partnership.