Applications are now open to apply for the next round of South Western Railway’s (SWR) Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF).

The CCIF supports small and medium-sized projects that benefit the community or address an area of social need anywhere on South Western Railway’s network, which stretches from London to Devon, Dorset, and the Isle of Wight.

Applications can be made by grassroots organisations, neighbourhood groups, local authorities, elected representatives, civic societies, charities, sports teams, social clubs, or any other organisation that has a great idea for how the fund could help their community.

The closing date for application is Sunday, 31 December 2023, and proposed projects must be completed by 31 March 2025.

Detailed information about how to submit a proposal can be found on South Western Railway’s Customer and Communities Improvement Fund webpage at southwesternrailway.com/cci

Among the criteria on which applications will be judged are:

• do they address community or social needs;
• do they demonstrate benefits;
• are they deliverable against costs and timescales;
• do they align with South Western Railway’s charitable giving policy;
• do they have links with the railway.

Although match funding is not required when submitting applications, it will be taken into account when assessing applications.

Since its launch in 2018, the fund has awarded over £7 million to a wide range of projects, and this year 58 projects were awarded grants., which included:

• a new cycle hub at Hinchley Wood station to promote sustainable onward travel;
• a safe space outside Richmond station on weekend nights in partnership with the British Transport Police and others;
• greener facilities at Smallbrook Junction where the Island Line joins the Isle of Wight Steam Railway;
• funding for Guide Dogs to support people with sight loss;
• Vauxhall City Farm in South West London.

Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s Customer and Commercial Director, commented: “It has been wonderful to see the real difference that CCIF grants delivered by SWR have been making to the communities we are proud to serve across our region.

“We are delighted to confirm that we are now accepting applications for the next round, and we look forward to seeing the diverse range of proposals customers and communities will have for enhancing local areas.

“If you have an idea for how a CCIF grant could benefit your community or would like to find out more, we warmly encourage you to get in touch.”

Faith Boardman, Chair of Trustees at Vauxhall City Farm, said of their CCIF grant: “We are incredibly thankful to South Western Railway for their support. This grant will have a lasting impact on our farm and the communities we serve. By upgrading our fencing, we can create an even safer and more inviting environment for everyone who visits us. It also allows us to continue our vital work in education and sustainability.”