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And this ‘in kind’ help includes "the donation of materials, loan of specialist equipment or expertise and volunteer labour."
The project has to be non profit-making (no jokes, please, about bike trade companies fulfilling that criteria by default!) but there’s nothing stopping, say, an IBD creating a safe cycling project and running it seperately to the main business.
The cash on offer is from the lottery via the Social, Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Programme, managed by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation (RSNC).
The sustainable transport theme is currently under-subscribed.
The SEED programme was given £14m, and it has already distributed half of it.
Cycle projects to benefit so far have included cycle route building, secure cycle parking facilities and cycle skills training. Cash has also gone to ‘Homezone’ feasibility projects.
Applications for the SEED Programme need to be made from local community groups, voluntary organisations, or not-for-profit community businesses. Oh, and it’s for groups in England, only.
Applicants must provide match funding of at least 20 per cent for grants of £5000 to £50,000. This can be a mixture of cash and ‘in kind’ match funding. Applicants that are requesting more than £50 000 must provide at least 50 percent match funding, of which 30 per cent must be cash.
Sustrans, a SEED Programme consortium partner, can assist with applications. Call Jane Crowther on 0117 926 8893.
