Community funds set up in Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders ahead of cycling summer
Two funds have been set up in Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders to capitalise on a summer of cycling in the South of Scotland.
The funds have been set up ahead of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships arriving this summer, with Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders hosting three of the Championships.
In addition, the Kirkpatrick C2C, Scotland's Coast to Coast route is due to be launched this summer, with a host of other cycling events taking place in the South.
Scottish Borders Community Cycling Fund
A Scottish Borders Community Cycling Fund worth £125,000 will open to applications on 1 April 2023 as part of a national initiative to create a lasting benefit from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Grants of between £3,000 and £15,000 will be available to community groups, organisations and event businesses.
- The new grant scheme aims to support the delivery of local community cycling events and activities which encourage and inspire new and existing cyclists, reach and engage new audiences to participate in cycling activity, and encourage cycling within under-represented groups, including children and young people, girls and women.
- In addition, the fund can be used to connect and add value to existing cycling initiatives, programmes, events and infrastructure to promote and celebrate the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and the power of the bike.
Potential applicants can request an application form by emailing communitycyclingscheme@scotborders.gov.uk
More information can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/cyclingfund
Dumfries & Galloway Summer of Cycling Events Fund
Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced the launch of the Summer of Cycling Events Fund.
The Fund, that has up to £20,000 to distribute to cycling events projects that take place between Saturday 13 May and Sunday 3 September, aims to make cycling more popular than ever before for local people and visitors to the region.
- The launch of the Fund comes hard on the heels of the announcement of the new Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast cycling route between Stranraer and Eyemouth, that will attract many thousands of visitors to the South of Scotland and promote our cycling heritage.
- The deadline for application to the Fund is Friday 14 April.
Organisations that may want to apply can request the application form and criteria for the fund by emailing grantapplications@dumgal.gov.uk. Full details can be found on the Council’s website.
The Summer of Cycling Events Fund is part-funded by South of Scotland Enterprise.
Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise
“Excitement is growing ahead of a summer of cycling which will bring thousands of people to the region, and millions of TV global viewers through the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
"Its great to see these funds created in Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders to give more people access to cycling.
"Initiatives such as this all help the aim of the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy to ensure our region becomes Scotland’s leading cycling destination by 2032.”