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Low carbon and active travel fund open for applications
Thursday 8 August 2019 - 15:27
Applications are currently being accepted for a third round of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund.
Public, community and third sector organisations can apply for a share of the £13.25 million of available ERDF and Scottish Government support to help deliver innovative active travel and low carbon transport hubs.
While match funding is required, applications can cover 70% or 80% of the total project costs depending on location. Eligibility criteria have also been tailored to broaden the range of applicants and to encourage applications that will benefit rural communities.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:
“Through the previous two rounds of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund just over £8.5 million has been awarded. This year, a further £13.25 is available, thanks to European Regional Development and Scottish Government funding, and this increased investment signals the growing scale of our commitment to the sustainable travel agenda.
“The Challenge Fund is already bringing exciting projects to life across Scotland. We’ve seen the recently launched Irvine travel hub, with work soon commencing in Stromness to improve air quality, alongside the construction of an innovative electric vehicle charging hub in Falkirk which uses renewable energy. These projects will improve local air quality, and offer healthier travel choices while supporting our Climate Change Plan.
"For some applications, only a 20% funding contribution would be required to be eligible for Challenge Fund support. This is therefore a fantastic opportunity for public, community and third sector organisations to bring forward their plans for sustainable transports solutions that encourage walking and cycling, promote the uptake of electric vehicles and provide further sustainable transport options across Scotland."
The fund is delivered through the Energy Saving Trust.
Ellie Grebenik, Senior Programme Manager at Energy Saving Trust said:
"The third round of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport fund will support a range of projects across Scotland, and is intended to provide local communities with greater and easier access to active travel and low carbon transport hubs and paths. These projects work to support the Scottish Government’s objectives of reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and encouraging improved health outcomes through boosting the use of active travel.
"The fund is now open with a deadline for applications of 25 October. In order to assist communities interested in applying for support, Energy Saving Trust is hosting a series of events to support organisations through the application process; webinars and surgeries that will take place throughout August and September. Additionally, I would encourage people to contact the team at Energy Saving Trust, who are available by phone and email."
The deadline for applications is 25 October 2019 and assessment will be complete by Spring 2020.
Visit the Energy Saving Trust website to find out more.
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The MaaS (Mobility as a Service) Investment Fund is currently open for applications until 30 August 2019.
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JLM & The Connected Places Catapult are delighted to announce the return of the Rural Transport Convention, an event that brings together members of the public, private and third sectors from within and outside Scotland to discuss how we can collaboratively shape transport provision to meet the needs of rural communities and grow the rural economy.
Building on the inaugural event in 2018 that attracted over 150 delegates, The Rural Transport Convention is the focal event for those engaged in the development of future mobility solutions. Participants can expect to meet with a range of figures from across the rural landscape, including community transport operators, community interest groups, technology providers and regional and national transport authorities.
Topics discussed and debated at the convention will include:
• Cracking the rural connectivity challenge - Alternative paths to improving digital connectivity
• Capitalising on the renewable energy boom - Creative approaches to developing sustainable community transport operations
• Enabling Active Travel - Exploring practical solutions to increasing active travel in rural communities
• Building Community Collaboration – Examining how to encourage cross generational collaboration in the design of local transport solutions.
• Facilitating Future Funding - Identifying traditional and non-traditional paths to funding rural transport innovation
• Supporting the NTS2 Consultation - Uncovering the rural transport requirements that need to be captured during the NTS2 consultation period
Pre-Convention Dinner
You are cordially invited to join JLM and the Connected Places Catapult for an informal dinner and networking at The Carnoustie Hotel on the evening before the convention. While dinner will be at your expense, it provides an opportunity to meet other delegates and speakers in a relaxed environment before the convention. To confirm your interest, please e-mail nick.callaghan@cp.catapult.org.uk with your name and the number of places you’d like to book.
Contact details
For any questions regarding the programme please contact nick.callaghan@cp.catapult.org.uk
