Great Western Railway is inviting applications for its Customer and Community Improvement Fund for the 2026/27 financial year, following the success of last year's programme which supported more than 90 projects across the GWR network.
The fund is designed to support small and medium rail-related projects that benefit railway passengers and address local social needs through charities, community groups and voluntary organisations in the region GWR serves.
GWR is particularly interested in schemes that encourage rail travel, carbon reduction, connect communities, support economic growth, promote inclusion and diversity, and deliver educational programmes around careers in rail or public transport awareness and rail safety.
Bids can be submitted from Monday 5 January and will be closed to applications at 12:00 on Monday 2 February 2025.
Last year's successful projects included:
- £24,000 towards Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Bristol, for a project to connect deaf communities across the region.
- £1,400 for PL24 Community Association to install a bench and planters which means there is now somewhere comfortable for people to sit while waiting for a bus at Par station.
- Avonmouth Community Centre Association are using their £13,000 funding to develop a wellbeing project focused on gardening, growing food, and connecting people through green space - all inspired by the story of the Railway.
- South Gloucestershire Council received £25,000 funding to install twenty new weatherproof bike lockers at Yate in the station car park, offering secure bike storage for regular train users. The project was delivered with support from GWR and Severnside CRP with the aim to make it easier and safer for residents to combine cycling with rail travel.
GWR Senior Community Impact Manager Emma Morris said:
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“Our Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a superb programme that allows us to invest locally in projects that have a positive and meaningful impact for our customers and our communities.
“With past funding we've supported a diverse range of initiatives, from inspiring educational programmes and wayfinding schemes to wildlife and railway heritage conservation. We're committed to improving passenger journeys and the economic prosperity and social footprint of the regions we serve.”
All schemes must show a clear link to the railway and demonstrate strong community involvement. Projects must be completed by the end of March 2027.
For more information and to submit an application, visit our Community Investment page.
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