Active Travel England invites SMEs to bid for £1million Active Travel Innovation Fund

If you’re part of an SME or NGO and have a new idea or an already successful initiative that is making a difference in active travel, then you’re invited to bid for a (maximum £100,000) grant from a £1 million pot via Active Travel England (ATE) and the Active Travel Innovation Fund.

Organisations and businesses can bid for a share of the funding to help them deliver bold and innovative initiatives that enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle. The Active Travel Innovation Fund is inviting applications from small to medium-sized businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The funding is being aimed at new ideas and/or an expansion on a successful project – examples could include community projects that help under-represented groups make more active travel choices, partnerships between councils and local communities or businesses to promote sustainable travel, or digital tools that improve safety and accessibility.

This funding will support the government’s Plan for Change by backing entrepreneurs and creative and ambitious projects to kickstart economic growth.

“The Active Travel Innovation Fund will help turn great ideas into real improvements for people who walk, wheel, or cycle,” said Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner. “Enabling more people get about under their own steam is one of the most important interventions we can make to improve the nation’s health, so it’s crucial that we support bold projects that will help us do this. We’re excited to see the creativity and ambition of applicants and look forward to working closely with the selected organisations to deliver positive and lasting change to the way people travel.”

The Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Walking, wheeling, and cycling bring huge physical and mental health benefits. We are determined to make them easy and safe choices for people across the country. The government is providing £1 million to back bold projects from small businesses and community groups to encourage more people to choose these healthier, more active, options for short journeys. We’re building a healthy, sustainable and joined-up network, a key part of our Plan for Change to boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS.”

In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive practical support from ATE and the Government Grant Managed Service (GGMS). This could include help with building partnerships, connecting with new stakeholders, or setting up ways to measure and track the success of their projects. The funding period of projects will run for 12 months, followed by an evaluation process, with each organisation asked to share a case study and final report into how the funds have made an impact. Through the funding, ATE aims to create a wide network of partners to share ideas and collaboratively develop skills, while providing valuable feedback to ATE as they continue to champion and accelerate active travel in England.

Today’s funding comes after the government announced a £300 million funding package in February to help local authorities build new walking and cycling infrastructure, provide cycle training for children, and support community initiatives. These improvements are expected to boost public health by cutting 43,000 sick days each year, easing pressure on the NHS, reducing congestion, and strengthening local economies.

The Active Travel Innovation Fund will help small to medium sized businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to go even further by developing creative active travel solutions that meet the needs of their communities.