The Active Thames Fund is dedicated to fostering growth in water sports and enhancing the use of the Thames Path National Trail. It is focused on improving access, diversity, and inclusion, while raising awareness of the benefits of physical activity in blue spaces.
Now in its fourth year, the Fund has awarded £430,000 to 56 different clubs, each encouraging sport and physical activity on the region’s blue spaces and the Thames Path National Trail.
In 2023 alone, Active Thames funding supported over 2,300 individuals to participate in more than 850 activity sessions, with over 230 additional people developing key coaching skills and qualifications.
Photo: Laburnum Boat Club, previous grant recipients
In 2024, the fund made 23 awards, with an additional 11 awards funded through the Tideway Boost. The 2024 Active Thames and Tideway Boost grant recipients covered a range of activity. Funding was awarded to support the delivery of various water sport sessions, including rowing, paddling, and sailing, as in the case of London Youth Rowing, Tower Hamlets Canoe Club, and Tideway Sailability.
Funding was also allocated to projects that run along the Thames Path, including walking groups facilitated by Re-Instate and Cake Club CIO. Other organisations focused their funding on workforce development and training, as in the case of the Leaside Trust, The Line, and Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre.
As in previous years, the Active Thames fund links to the recommendations of the Active Thames participation and workforce survey conducted in 2021, which is available here.
Applications close 27 October 2024.
Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that align with one or more of the following objectives:
In addition, we are particularly keen to welcome applications that will:
Grants of up to are £5,000 are available. Larger grants may be considered for projects that meet multiple objectives and demonstrate a strong track record of successful delivery. Previous beneficiaries of Active Thames grants are welcome to apply again.
Applicants are also encouraged to clearly highlight in their applications how their projects support the wider objectives and outcomes of the Active Thames grant, namely to:
To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
Applications open on 25 September 2024.
Applications close on 27 October 2024.
Funding decisions and communications to all applicants will be made within four weeks of the closing date.
Applications can only be made online through our simple application form available here. As the form will not ‘save’ automatically we recommend you prepare your responses in a Word document before submission.
Within your application you will need to provide detailed information about how you intend to use the funding and who the intended beneficiaries are. Please note the following:
Applications will be scored against the following criteria:
Your application will be reviewed by a panel comprising of Active Thames partners, including: Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, London Sport, Paddle UK, British Rowing, Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Canal & River Trust, Thames Path National Trail and the PLA. Your application may also be shared with other potential funders at the discretion of the sports manager. If you would prefer that your application not be shared with other potential funders, please notify us at [email protected]
Active Thames focusses on the waterways in Greater London, Kent and Essex including docks, basins, reservoirs, canals, lakes and rivers that feed into the tidal Thames and its Estuary.
The fund will not cover:
No. We can only give grants to formally constituted organisations with a bank account in the name of that organisation.
If you require any guidance or support with your application, or have any further questions please contact us at [email protected].
We will also be holding a number of online ‘drop-in’ sessions for groups who may wish to speak to us directly:
If you do wish to make use of these, please contact us at [email protected] and we will share joining information with you.
Photo: ReInstate, 2024 Tideway Boost grant recipients
London Youth Rowing are shaking up training
Taking the plunge
Opening up opportunities
Making waves
Drinking from the cup of confidence
Gearing up to make a splash
Making their club more inclusive