Network Rail Community Fund

About this fund

The Network Rail Community Fund intends to support community-led projects that produce social value. 

Network Rail wishes to develop their relationships with community groups and representatives, building avenues to inform and educate on the safety elements, benefits and opportunities of rail links.

Purpose of this fund

Network Rail has outlined three main themes to ensure the Community Rail Fund generates sustainable and transformational change. 

Projects must align with at least one of the following themes (the examples under each theme are not an exhaustive list and are for general guidance):

Economic Prosperity - Helping people and communities grow financially and succeed.

Initiatives that support or enhance the economic prosperity of a community, for example:
•    Community-led training programmes that develop local skills or support employability
•    Projects that create volunteering or work placement opportunities in the local area
•    Initiatives that support tourism linked to local heritage, such as train-based or walking tours
•    Schemes that help people access digital tools and financial advice 
•    Community enterprises that reinvest income into local services or improvements

Equal Opportunities - Making sure everyone has fair access to opportunities and services, regardless of their background or needs.

Initiatives that improve equal opportunities through improving accessibility, diversity, and/or equality, for example:
•    Local, accessible, transport initiatives to help people access healthcare, shops, and social activities.
•    Advice sessions offering housing, benefits, and health advice in multiple languages.
•    Basic IT workshops and access to computers to those facing digital poverty/exclusion.
•    A local support group providing mentorship, mental health resources, and inclusive social events for marginalised groups.
•    Initiatives to support women returning to the workforce.

Wellbeing - Improving people's quality of life, including health, safety, and the environment.

Initiatives that enhance community wellbeing through environmental improvements, support for mental/physical health, creating safer communities, and positive local activity which brings people and communities together, for example:

•    Community gardening or environmental improvement projects that enhance shared spaces
•    Local support groups tackling issues such as loneliness and isolation
•    Programmes that encourage physical activity, such as walking groups or accessible sport
•    Creative or cultural activities that bring people together and strengthen community connections
•    Initiatives promoting healthy eating, cooking skills, or food access through community kitchens or hubs
 

Additional criteria

Grants between £500 and £3,000 will be considered.

Grants must be spent within one year of being awarded.

While applications will be considered from organisations across Scotland, priority may be given to projects with a clear connection to the rail network or railway stations. This is not a mandatory requirement but could be used to support final decision making if the fund is oversubscribed.

Only organisations with an income of £250,000 or less in its most recent accounts will be considered.

Who can apply?

All applicants must fit Foundation Scotland's funding criteria. Before progressing with your application please visit our Common eligibility criteria.

What can’t be funded?

Please read through our page on what we can't fund, as these exclusions apply to all Foundation Scotland funds.

In addition, the Community Rail Fund will not consider an exclusive request for train travel costs only.  Instead, local train travel which forms part of a wider project could be considered.

How are decisions made?

Funding is allocated based on decisions by representatives from Network Rail's eight to ten contracting partners with support from Foundation Scotland.

£40,000 will be available to distribute through this programme, supporting at least thirteen projects.

For more details on our decision and assessment processes please visit our page on how funding decisions are made.