Grants of up to £5,000 (and in some cases, higher amounts) are available to constituted, not-for-profit organisations across London, Kent, and Essex. The funding is to support the growth of water sports on local waterways and enhance the use of the Thames Path National Trail while also enhancing access, diversity and inclusion and raising awareness of the benefits of blue space and physical activity.
A constituted organisation is one which has a written set of rules in the form of a Constitution or Articles of Association.
The Active Thames Fund will support activities that deliver at least one of the following outcomes:
- Improve diversity of participation, particularly among under-represented groups including:
- Children & Young People
- Ethnically diverse communities
- LGBTQ+ communities
- People with disabilities
- People with long-term health conditions
- People from lower socio-economic groups
- Workforce Development: Enhancing the skills and capabilities of coaches, volunteers, and administrative support teams.
Usually, grants of around £5,000 are awarded. Organisations applying for more than £5,000 should be able to deliver against multiple objectives and ideally they can demonstrate prior success in a similar project.
Active Thames focuses on the waterways in Greater London, Kent and Essex, including docks, basins, reservoirs, canals, lakes and rivers that feed into the tidal Thames and its Estuary. It is a partnership programme, delivered by the Port of London Authority (PLA), with support from sporting and environmental organisations across London, Kent and Essex.
For full guidance and to apply, click here.