Cambrian Railway Partnership | Cambrian Community Fund

Cambrian Railway Partnership is opening the Cambrian Community Fund. It is a small grants programme offering awards of between £200 and £1,000 to local groups within a six mile radius of a Cambrian railway station. It will offer financial support for projects that enhance shared community spaces, promote wellbeing, strengthen a sense of place and contribute to community development.

ELIGIBILITY

Organisations applying for the grant must:

●      Be a community organisation, charity,  CIC or group that has a bank account in the name of the organisation applying with two unrelated signatories

●      Be located within 6 miles (10km) of a Cambrian Railway station.  Activity does not need to be at the station itself.

●      Be led by or clearly benefit local communities.

●      Be accessible and inclusive to the intended beneficiaries.

●      Deliver a clear, measurable benefit to the local area or community wellbeing.

●      Be realistic in scope, with a clear timeline and budget.

●      Secure any required landowner permissions or partner agreements before work begins.

CRITERIA

We welcome community‑led projects that bring people together, improve local spaces, and support local wellbeing. The fund supports a wide range of activities — from community gardens and intergenerational events to accessibility improvements, one‑day arts or heritage events. Projects should be community‑focused, inclusive, and deliver clear local benefit.  Railway related projects will also be welcomed.

The following examples are intended to inspire ideas.  We welcome other projects that bring local benefits, supporting wellbeing and strengthen community connections:

●      Green Projects - Community gardens, green spaces or growing projects.

●      Improvement Projects -  Litter-pick & bench repair kit + community clean sweep

●      Sustainability / Climate Action - Community compost starter kit, Repair cafe pop up, Community Swap day

●      Local active travel, walking and cycling - Wayfinding Refresh, Local walks map, Walking buddy scheme, cycle confidence session

●      Sense of Place -  Knitting projects, local legends Storyboard, Community Quilt Station Welcome pack,(Leaflet, map, local history, places to visit)

●      Young / Older / Target Groups -Intergenerational gardening sessions, Memory lane project, intergenerational craft day.

●      Community Centre Support - pop up Cafe kit, Accessibility starter kit

●      Inclusion and accessibility - tactile map or large print information board/flyers

●      Art, Community or Heritage - Installations or interpretation boards at and around stations, Artist in a day, Heritage object loan box

●      History & Interpretation – Railway history exhibitions, station heritage talks, local interpretation boards

Funded projects must be fully spent by the end of Feb 2027 and the completed end of project report submitted by Monday 6th April 2027.

If you wish to discuss your project ideas, please contact:

Deb Justice - Cambrian Railway Partnership Development Officer

deb.justice@pavo.org.uk         01597 822191

If you require assistance in filling in your application form please contact your local County Voluntary Council:

Mantell Gwynedd               01286 672626    mantellgwynedd.com

CAVO                                    01570 423232  cavo.org.uk

Community Resource        01743 360641  community-resource.org.uk

PAVO                                     01597 822191  pavo.org.uk

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