Pot of funding aims to support sustainable transport plans - The Evesham Observer

Pot of funding aims to support sustainable transport plans

Evesham Editorial 22nd Aug, 2020   0

COUNCIL chiefs have revealed a funding pot to support innovative and sustainable community transport projects across the district.

Working in partnership with crowdfunding platform Spacehive, Wychavon District Council has launched the Crowdfund WYCHAVON: Ticket to Ride Fund which will support transport projects that are citizen-led and community-based.

The council has made a pot of £140,000 available over the next three years (across six rounds of funding) to support community transport projects. The maximum amount pledged to a project will be £50,000 or 50 per cent of the total project costs.

Donations from communities, local businesses and foundations will make up the rest. The deadline for organisations to pitch their project idea is September 30.




The aim is to boost connectivity of communities in Wychavon district by improving local people’s ability to travel to services and opportunities for social interaction.

Also, to increase social mobility, promote independence and self care, as well as to empower communities by creating an environment where people stay healthy for longer.


Over the past few months, the council has supported a range of community projects recovering from the Covid-19 crisis.

This was part of the first round of funding as part of Spacehive and £25,000 was used to support local organisations and encourage pledges from the community. Up to £5,000 was pledged towards an individual project.

Amongst the organisations to benefit from the funding were Evesham Volunteer Centre who raised more than £500 to equip volunteer drivers to collect essential medical supplies from pharmacies and deliver them to the community.

Spacehive will be holding a free, virtual event over Zoom at midday on Friday, September 4 to provide information about funding opportunities, local success stories and how to get involved.

Coun Bradley Thomas, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “Using crowdfunding and launching the Crowdfund WYCHAVON: Ticket to Ride Fund allows us as a council to stretch our limited resources so we can support as many projects as possible.

“The upcoming event will be a fantastic opportunity for community transport providers and other organisations to learn more about how to take more of an active role and gain access to more funding”.

Visit www.spacehive.com/movement/worcs/news to book a place or visit www.spacehive.com/movement/worcs for more.

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