A FRESH round of applications for a fund aimed at helping communities has been launched by a rail company.
South Western Railway is encouraging charities and community group to apply for a share of its 2024-25 funding pot.
The Customer and Communities Improvement Fund seeks to help projects that have a community benefit or address an area of social need across its network, with applications closing on New Year’s Eve.
Bids are welcomed from grassroots or neighbourhood groups, local authorities, elected representatives, civic societies, charities, sports teams, social clubs, or any other organisation with a great idea for how CCIF may be able to help their community.
Criteria includes addressing community or social need, a demonstration of benefits, deliverability against costs and timescales, alignment with our charitable giving policy, and having links to the railway.
While match funding is not a necessity for a grant application, but having additional funding available will be considered in the scoring and judging of applications.
Projects must be completed by March 31, 2025.
The company says that over the past five years, more than £7 million has been awarded to more than 100 small and medium-sized projects.
Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s Customer and Commercial Director, said: “It has been wonderful to see the real difference that CCIF grants delivered by SWR have been making to the communities we are proud to serve across our region.
“We are delighted to confirm that we are now accepting applications for the next round, and we look forward to seeing the diverse range of proposals customers and communities will have for enhancing local areas.
“If you have an idea for how a CCIF grant could benefit your community, or would like to find out more, we warmly encourage you to get in touch.”
For more information, or to apply, log on to: southwesternrailway.com/ccif
