Ian Findlay Path Fund

Please note this round of funding closed to new applicants on the 8th March 2024.

Ian Findlay Path Fund launch with Minister for Active Travel - Patrick Harvey at Cassiltoun Housing Association, Castlemilk Park, Glasgow

The £1.5 million Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF) supports the improvement of local paths within and between communities, making it easier for people to choose active travel and public transport for everyday journeys for a happier, healthier, greener Scotland.


This grant fund is supported by Transport Scotland to improve paths, to make active travel easier and more attractive. This will encourage people to leave their cars at home for short journeys which will in turn benefit air quality, reduce CO2 emissions and improve our physical health and mental wellbeing.

The fund supports projects that will improve usability and accessibility of paths for more people. This will reduce inequalities and improve access to greenspace and its benefits to mental health.

The fund is named in memory of our late Chief Officer, Ian Findlay CBE who died very suddenly in March 2021. Ian made a huge impact during his time at Paths for All and this fund recognises and continues his legacy.
 

What type of projects will be funded?

The fund supports path management projects that:

  • Demonstrate that they will make it easer for people to choose active travel and public transport to reduce dependency on car usage
  • Improve accessibility and resilience of existing paths between homes, community facilities, active travel routes and public transport facilities
  • Remove barriers to make existing paths more accessible to more people
  • Link paths to community destinations such as homes and public transport connections
  • Improve and create routes to aid the development of 20-minute neighbourhoods

 

Who can apply?

The fund is open to a wide range of community and third sector organisations. This round of funding closed to new applicants on the 8th March, however, the IFPF team is still happy to hear from groups with projects they would like to discuss. Contact us on ifpf@pathsforall.org.uk. We hope that the fund will re-open in early Summer 2024 and will make an announcement when this is confirmed.

Grant value

Funding of a sum between £10,000 - £100,000 is available, with 30% match funding required (15% can be in kind).

If you are at an early stage of your project, we can offer up to 100% of design costs.
 

Technical Advice

Technical expertise is included within the IFPF team. 

We can provide advice and guidance on:

  • Planning and developing  path projects
  • Surveying and designing paths
  • Preparing contract documentation for tenders
  • Path construction best practice incl. surface selection, bridges, access barriers, signage, etc.
     

How to apply

If you want to make an application to the IFPF, please read our Guidance Document first. We recommend that you get in touch with our dedicated team at IFPF@pathsforall.org.uk to discuss initial proposals.

Once you have spoken to a member of our team and established that your project meets the terms of the fund, you should complete an Expression of Interest on our grants portal.

We aim to visit every prospective project, to offer in person guidance and advice before you submit your IFPF Application.

If you are already registered, log in to our Grants portal. If you are not already registered you can find information about how to get yourself registered, in the Guidance Note.
 

Training

We offer a range of free training courses throughout the year to help you plan, manage and improve your Community Path networks. Further details can be found here.
 

Want to know more about our support?

Sign up to our monthly Community Paths Newsletter to hear more about our training, resources and funding to support community path projects or find out about our other funding opportunities here.