Community organisations are being encouraged to apply for money to boost their projects.

South Western Railway have announced that they are now inviting bids and proposals for the next round of their Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF).

The fund aims to support small and medium sized community projects which can be completed over the course of a year.

In previous rounds of funding, SWR have supported more than 70 projects with a value of over £6 million across their network, assisting important local causes and initiatives and delivering extensive social value and benefit.

SWR say that an important part of the CCIF is that it involves customers and stakeholders in helping inform which schemes will be taken forward.

Once this final list of preferred schemes has been finalised, it is submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) who will make the final decision on which schemes go ahead.

South Western Railway is welcoming bids from grassroot or neighbourhood groups, local authorities (for example, parish or town councils, borough councils, county councils), elected representatives, civic societies, charities, sports teams, social clubs, or any other organisation with a great idea for how CCIF may be able to help their community.

CCIF Manager, Veronika Krcalova, said: “We are delighted to invite community organisations to apply for funding for their projects from the Customer and Communities Improvement Fund.

“Backing those initiatives that benefit local communities around our stations is just one of the ways in which SWR can show its support for the people who live and work on our network. I look forward to seeing all of the brilliant bids and applications we receive.”

Applications for this new round of funding can be made for projects which will be started and completed between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. The closing date for bids is 23.59 on Friday 16 September 2022.

Applications are now open and you can apply using the ‘easy-to-follow’ application form which is supported by a guidance booklet. Both can be found by visiting www.southwesternrailway.com/ccif