Open Call for Kent Active Travel Business Grants (UK)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The Kent Active Travel Business Grants provide up to £5,000 to small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and eligible NHS community facilities in Kent to install facilities that encourage employees and customers to walk, wheel, or cycle. Funded by the UK Government and administered by Kent County Council for the 2026–2027 budget year, the scheme supports cycle parking, lockers, showers, pool bikes, e-bike charging facilities, and other active travel projects. The Kent Active Travel Business Grants scheme supports organizations in Kent to improve facilities that encourage active travel to business premises. Active travel refers to journeys made through forms of transport such as walking, wheeling, and cycling. The scheme aims to make it easier and more attractive for staff and customers to choose active travel when accessing participating premises. The programme is funded by the UK Government and administered by Kent County Council for the 2026–2027 budget year. A limited pool of funding is available, so applications will be assessed against the scheme’s criteria. Funding can be used to install facilities and deliver projects that encourage walking, wheeling, or cycling.

Eligible uses include:

The proposed facilities should have a clear connection to encouraging staff or customers to use active travel when travelling to the premises. The grant can support the installation of safe and secure cycle parking and storage facilities. Providing suitable cycle infrastructure can help organizations make cycling more convenient for employees and visitors. Projects should consider how the proposed facilities will practically support people who choose to cycle to the site. Funding can also support facilities such as staff lockers and showers. These facilities can help employees who walk, wheel, or cycle to work by providing appropriate places to store belongings and prepare for their working day. Eligible projects can include pool bikes that employees can use for work-related journeys or other suitable purposes. The scheme also supports electric hook-ups for e-bike charging, helping organizations provide charging infrastructure for employees and visitors using electric bicycles. The grant is not limited to standard cycling facilities. Innovative projects or facilities that promote active travel can also be considered. Applicants should explain how their proposed project could encourage changes in travel behaviour and increase walking, wheeling, or cycling to their premises. The maximum grant available is £5,000. Smaller grant amounts may also be awarded depending on the project and available funding. The scheme has a limited funding pool, meaning applicants should ensure that their proposed costs are clearly justified and connected to eligible active travel improvements. Payment will be made following submission of a work invoice. Successful applicants must complete the required project reporting and submit their final documentation by the specified deadline. The final invoice and progress report must be submitted by 11 January 2027. Eligible applicants must fall into one of the following categories: NHS community facilities are eligible provided they are not hospital sites. Applicants must have a site located in Kent, excluding Medway, and must have at least two employees. The premises receiving the active travel facilities must be located in Kent. The scheme does not cover sites in Medway. Applicants should also ensure that they have the necessary rights to install the proposed facilities on the relevant land. All new facilities must be installed on: Applicants should obtain the necessary landowner permission before installing facilities where they do not own the land. The grant cannot be used to cover certain associated costs.

Ineligible costs include:

Applicants should separate eligible facility costs from associated expenses when preparing their project budget. Applications will be assessed against factors related to the organization’s existing active travel support and the potential impact of the proposed project.

Assessment will consider:

Applicants should clearly explain their existing approach to active travel and how the proposed project will build on or improve it. The inclusion of innovative behaviour change measures can strengthen an application. Applicants should explain how their project will encourage employees or customers to change their travel habits rather than simply installing a facility without a clear usage strategy. The availability of match funding is also considered during assessment. Where applicable, applicants should clearly identify any additional financial contribution supporting the project. A strong application should clearly explain the active travel problem at the premises and how the proposed facilities will address it.

Applicants should describe:

Applicants should also confirm that the facilities will be installed on land they own or land for which they have the required permission. Providing practical facilities can make active travel more accessible and convenient for employees and customers. Cycle storage, charging facilities, showers, lockers, and pool bikes can help address common barriers to cycling and other active travel options. By supporting these improvements at business and community sites, the scheme aims to encourage more people to choose walking, wheeling, or cycling when travelling to participating premises. The grants support small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and eligible NHS community facilities in Kent to install facilities that encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling to their premises. The maximum available grant is £5,000, although smaller amounts may also be awarded. Small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and NHS community facilities, excluding hospital sites, can apply if they meet the location and employee requirements. No. The scheme covers sites in Kent but excludes Medway. Eligible use