Transpennine Route Upgrade Community Fund

GMCVO are delivering this grant programme on behalf of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) to improve local spaces and services along its 70-mile route between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

A total of £175,000 is to be distributed along the route, with funding available in the form of small grants (£1,000 to £5,000) or medium grants (£5,000 to £20,000).

Community projects within 5 miles of the core TRU route and its key diversionary routes will be eligible to receive funding.

The Community Fund aims to drive the Transpennine Route Upgrade to achieve two main objectives:

1. To act as a catalyst for regeneration by enhancing and protecting community ‘spaces and places’ along the route.
2. To support the delivery of the TRU team in volunteering in the community to develop job skills and shape public spaces alongside the communities that use them.

This fund is open to VCSE organisations within 5 miles of the following train stations in Wakefield District:

• Wakefield Kirkgate
• Castleford

Funding available and what GMCVO can fund

Small Grants:

• Open Monday 5 August for 6 weeks, until Monday 16 September.
• Apply for between £1,000 and £5,000.
• A total of £87,500 is available. We expect to fund between 17 and 22 projects.
• Project delivery is expected to begin in October or November 2024 and end no later than January 2027.

Medium Grants:

• Open Monday 19 August for 6 weeks, until Monday 30 September.
• Apply for between £5,000 and £20,000.
• A total of £87,500 is available. We expect to fund between 4 and 6 projects.
• Project delivery is expected to begin in November or December 2024 and end no later than January 2027.