Sustainable travel fund open for applications

A second round of funding from the Smarter Choices Smarter Places Open Fund is now open for applications.

The fund aims to increase walking, cycling and sustainable travel, including encouraging people to use buses, trams, trains and car share clubs for longer journeys. 

The fund is delivered through Paths for All and has been allocated £2 million from the Scottish Government's active travel budget for 2019/20. 

Grants available are between £5000 and £50,000 and need to be match funded by public, community and third sector organisations who wish to encourage people to walk or cycle for everyday, shorter journeys combining with public transport for longer trips.

Ian Findlay, Chief Officer at Paths for All said:

"During the first year, the Open Fund supported 87 projects with almost £2m worth of grants. One of the best things about the Open Fund is how flexible it is, and this was reflected in the wide range of applicants and projects in the first year. 

"These came from community groups, third and public sector organisations or a combination of all three working together. We were also heartened to see such creativity behind applications which all aimed to change people’s everyday travel behaviour.

"Creating opportunities for more people to walk and cycle for everyday short trips and choosing sustainable options for longer journeys is not only beneficial to health and wellbeing, it also helps reduce environmental impacts, inequalities and creates safer, robust communities where people feel more connected to where they live. 

"With the launch of the Open Fund 2019/20 and £2m of grants available once more, there’s so much potential to support many more projects which will help create a happier, healthier Scotland."

Get more information on the Smarter Choices Smarter Places Open Fund.