Active travel projects to benefit from increased open fund

The Active Travel Open Fund, led by Scottish walking charity Paths for All, has increased the maximum amount available for grants to £100,000.

 

A share of the £5 million fund is available to community groups, public groups and third-sector organisations and project organisers can now apply for grants of between £5,000 and £100,000, a 50 per cent increase on previous years.

 

Aiming to help cut Scotland’s carbon emissions and improve air quality, the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund has doubled from the £2.5 million offered earlier in the year.

 

The SCSP Open Fund is supported by Transport Scotland and is dedicated to encouraging people across Scotland to travel in more active, sustainable ways and reduce reliance on cars.

 

Paths for All manager Graham McQueen said: ‘With the continued support of Transport Scotland, we are delighted to be able to increase the maximum amount of grant available through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund to community groups and charities across Scotland.

 

'This increase recognises the importance of encouraging people to drive less and to travel in a more sustainable manner. We are facing an immediate climate crisis and we need to act now.

 

‘With these larger grants, applicants can extend their reach to more people and can be more effective in reducing the number of car journeys being made on our roads.’

 

Since the fund was first launched in 2017, more than 540 projects across Scotland have received a combined total of £13.5 million.

 

Kevin Lafferty, chief executive officer of Paths for All, said: 'Being able to announce Paths for All’s funding programme to help Scotland choose smarter ways to travel has increased its fund ceiling from £50k to £100k for the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund is fantastic news.

 

‘The grant fund is available to support public, third and community sector organisations in Scotland to deliver innovative behaviour change projects that promote active and sustainable travel.

 

‘The fund is helping cut Scotland's carbon emissions and improving our air quality by encouraging people to use public transport or other sustainable options such as buses and community car clubs for longer journeys, walking and cycling for short journeys.

 

‘This means the potential average award can now increase. We thank Transport Scotland for its continued support for the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund.’

 

Applications for the round of funding are open until March 31 2023 and will be awarded for a period of 12 months. To apply or find out more, visit www.pathsforall.org.uk/open-fund.

 

 

"attachment_833827" "" "300"] Graham McQueen, SCSP Manager at Paths for All.

 

CEO for Paths for All, Kevin Lafferty. no_b48funding01

 

Graham McQueen, SCSP manager at Paths for All. no_b48funding02