Active Thames Fund 2024-2025: Open for Applications

Now in its fourth year, Active Thames, the partnership programme that promotes the development of watersports on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent and Essex, has opened for applications for this year’s round of funding. To date, Active Thames has supported 56 community and sports groups with £430,000 of funding.  

Conscious that the water can be a place for sport and relaxation, and benefit people’s mental and physical well-being, Active Thames has supported a variety of activities, including sailing, paddlesports, rowing and walking. The grants range from £2,000 to £20,000, corresponding to the needs of the project. Applicants are considered from a wide geographical reach, from West London to Southend-on-Sea, covering three different counties.

Chris Sawyer, Thames Vision and Partnerships Lead, said:

“The Active Thames partnership programme is an important part of our Thames Vision 2050, ensuring this unique blue space is safely accessible to all and ensuring more people from diverse backgrounds can enjoy both the physical and mental health benefits of being active on and alongside the river.

“Much of our funding is directed towards projects that engage people who are less likely to be active, or from communities with less access to sports and activities.” 

Active Thames supports initiatives that try to increase access, diversity, and inclusion through reaching out to under-represented groups, at the same time providing more opportunities for people to benefit from being active outdoors. The Active Thames partnership is comprised of Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, London Sport, British Canoeing, British Rowing, RYA, Canal & River Trust, Thames Path National Trail and the PLA.

Successful recipients of last year’s Active Thames funding include: London Youth Rowing, who received £20,000 to continue their roll out of their Active Row programme in Kent, Fulham Reach Boat Club, who were awarded £10,000 to strengthen and extend their work with local schools, and Thurrock Yacht Club, a community-centred sailing club in Essex, who were given £5,000 towards the upgrade of their fleet of safety boats. A full list of last year’s recipients can be found here. 

Any community or sports groups that are interested can visit the Active Thames website for more information and to submit their applications.  

Applications for the 2024-2025 Active Thames Fund are now open, with a deadline of 27 October 2024.