The National Transport Authority (NTA) is pleased to announce the establishment of an Active Travel Community Fund in 2027 and is opening applications to access this funding on 30th September 2026.
Apply for funding for programmes and/or schemes
The Active Travel Community Fund enables organisations to apply for funding for programmes and/or schemes which supplement or complement the aims and objectives of the Government’s Active Travel programme, particularly in relation to increasing modal shift away from private car use towards walking and cycling.
The proposed initiatives
The proposed initiatives must contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Active Travel programme which can be summarised as:
- Encouraging Sustainable Transport: Promoting walking, cycling, and using non-motorized scooters as part of sustainable travel
- Infrastructure Development: Investing in walking and cycling networks to enhance accessibility and connectivity
- Climate Action Goals: Aligning with the objectives of the Government’s Climate Action Plan
- Safety and Accessibility: Creating safer and more inclusive transport options for all ages and abilities
- Reducing Carbon Emissions: Supporting sustainable transport options to reduce transport-related carbon emission
The total amount available in the Fund for 2027 will be €1.5 million. Given that the fund may attract a wide range of applicants proposing very different projects the following criteria have been established to assess the applications.
Criteria to assess applications
- Cost / Value for Money: Please note that staff costs are not eligible for funding and any funding that is provided must be spent and claimed within a single year. Assessment will consider the reasonableness of costs, anticipated reach, value for money and the scale of benefits relative to funding sought.
- Contribution to Active Travel and Climate Objectives: Marks will be awarded based on the extent to which proposals encourage walking, cycling or wheeling, support modal shift away from private car use, improve connectivity, contribute to climate action objectives and reduce transport-related emissions.
- Community Benefit, Engagement and Participation: Assessment of how the project delivers a demonstrated community need, contributes to community involvement in wider project development and delivery, partnerships with local groups, schools, sports clubs or disability organisations, volunteer participation and community ownership.
- Safety and Accessibility: How the project benefits people of all ages and abilities, including disabled users, older people and children, together with inclusive participation and the application of universal design principles.
- Innovation and Replicability: This criterion will assess innovative partnerships, behaviour-change initiatives, use of technology, communications and engagement methods, as well as the potential for projects to be replicated or scaled up elsewhere.
- Under-served Communities / Social Equity: Projects located in disadvantaged or under-served areas, for example rural locations, areas of higher deprivation or areas with limited existing active travel provision would be favoured
Mandatory criteria
Other mandatory criteria:
- The project and proposed expenditure must comply with the NTA Eligibility Guidelines 2024 (see Point 5 below);
- The project must be accessible and inclusive; and
- The project must support at least one Active Travel Programme objective.
If any of these requirements are not met, the application would be deemed ineligible and will not proceed to assessment.
Online platform (PRS)
The NTA operates using an online platform (PRS) that facilitates applications and claims for payments.
Applications should review the NTAs requirements for grant funding in advance of making an application. These requirements are deatiled together with the initiasl grant application form: