Call for Applications: Active Thames Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The Active Thames Fund supports organisations delivering accessible and inclusive physical activity projects on or beside waterways in London, Kent, and Essex. The fund aims to increase participation in physical activity while improving health and wellbeing and strengthening community connections. Priority is given to projects that engage groups that can face barriers to participation, including children and young people, ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, people with long-term health conditions, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Organisations can apply for grants above £5,000 where they can demonstrate the capacity to deliver against multiple fund objectives. Previous grant recipients are also welcome to reapply. Projects must have a clear connection to the specified waterways or the Thames Path National Trail. Funding cannot support retrospective costs, marketing expenses, individuals, or activities that are unsafe or harmful to the environment.

About the Active Thames Fund

The Active Thames Fund is designed to encourage more people to become physically active through activities taking place on or beside waterways. The programme recognises waterways as valuable spaces for physical activity, community engagement, and improved wellbeing. Supported projects should aim to make participation more accessible and inclusive while creating meaningful benefits for local communities. The fund particularly encourages projects that: - Increase participation in physical activity. - Remove barriers to participation. - Improve physical health. - Improve mental health and wellbeing. - Strengthen community connections. - Increase diversity among participants. - Encourage inclusive use of waterways. Where Can Projects Take Place? Projects supported by the Active Thames Fund must be connected to waterways in: - London. - Kent. - Essex. Activities must have a clear link to the specified waterways or the Thames Path National Trail. This geographical and location-based requirement is important. Organisations should clearly demonstrate the connection between their proposed activity and the relevant waterway or trail. Who Does the Fund Prioritise? The Active Thames Fund places particular emphasis on increasing diversity in participation. Projects that engage the following groups are especially encouraged: - Children and young people. - Ethnically diverse communities. - LGBTQ+ communities. - People with disabilities. - People with long-term health conditions. - People from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Applicants should explain what barriers their target participants may face and how the proposed activity will make participation more accessible. Health and Wellbeing Improving health and wellbeing is an important objective of the fund.

Projects can contribute to:

- Physical health. - Mental health. - Overall wellbeing. - Social connection. - Community participation. Applicants should demonstrate how their activity can provide meaningful opportunities for people to become active while also creating stronger connections within their communities. Inclusive Physical Activity The fund is intended for activities that are genuinely accessible and inclusive. A strong proposal should consider how different groups can participate and whether barriers relating to disability, health, financial circumstances, identity, age, or other factors may prevent participation. Organisations should explain how their project will encourage people who may traditionally be underrepresented in physical activity to take part. Funding Amount Organisations may apply for grants above £5,000 where they can demonstrate the capacity to deliver against multiple objectives of the fund. Applicants seeking larger grants should therefore demonstrate: - A clear and achievable project plan. - Capacity to deliver the proposed activities. - Ability to address multiple fund objectives. - Strong community benefits. - Meaningful participation outcomes. - Appropriate consideration of accessibility and inclusion. The information provided does not specify an upper funding limit, so applicants should rely on the fund’s current application guidance for any additional grant-size requirements. Previous Grant Recipients Organisations that have previously received funding from the Active Thames Fund are welcome to reapply. Previous funding does not automatically prevent an organisation from submitting a new application. Returning applicants should clearly demonstrate the value of their proposed new or continuing work and explain how it will contribute to the fund’s objectives. Who Can Apply? The Active Thames Fund is open to formally constituted organisations.

Applicants must:

- Be formally constituted. - Have a bank account in the organisation’s name. - Be capable of delivering the proposed project safely and responsibly. - Deliver activities connected to the specified waterways or Thames Path National Trail. The requirement for an organisational bank account means that individuals and informal groups cannot apply directly. Who Is Not Eligible?

The fund does not support:

- Individuals. - Informal groups. - Organisations without a bank account in the organisation’s name. - Projects without a connection to the specified waterways. - Projects without a link to the Thames Path National Trail where that connection is required. - Retrospective costs. - Marketing expenses. - Activities that are unsafe. - Activities that harm the environment. Applicants should check these restrictions before developing their project budget and proposal. Waterway Connection Requirement A central condition of the Active Thames Fund is that funded activities must have a direct connection to the relevant waterways or the Thames Path National Trail. Applicants should make this connection explicit in their proposal.

The application should explain:

- Where the activity will take place. - Which waterway or trail it