Our new initiative, Accelerate - The Sustainable Events Fund, has been designed to give our communities a financial boost in taking action to reduce the environmental footprint of cycling events across the country, and help engage our communities on collective action. This fund, totalling £25,000, offers 100 individual grants of £250, along with additional resources such as toolkits, and shared learning opportunities.
This accelerator fund, alongside our new guidance, aims to provide a supportive first step, elevate the conversation, and reward innovation.
Accelerate and Innovate
The fund intends to:
- Empower event organisers to implement sustainable practices at cycling events.
- Equip event coordinators with the necessary resources to reduce their environmental impact and elevate the conversation in their communities.
- Foster a culture of environmental awareness in British cycling communities by offering the grant alongside guidance and educational materials.
- As an additional step, we have ringfenced an additional grant of £1,000 to reward the initiative that provides most impact, potential, and learning for the future.
Is my club, group or event eligible?
Grants will be awarded to events, clubs and groups that can demonstrate a clear need for funding and a commitment to implementing effective solutions for reducing their environmental impact. The evaluation criteria will focus on:
- Need: Events, regions or clubs with fewer existing sustainability measures will be prioritised to encourage new solutions, but we will also look to reward clubs that are already on their way, but where this fund will further evolve their approach.
- Impact Potential: Events or clubs that demonstrate potential to influence positive behaviour change among participants, volunteers, and audiences will receive greater consideration. High-visibility events will also be favoured for their ability to promote sustainable practices more broadly.
- Innovation: The fund will allow for flexibility in terms of creative and pilot solutions, encouraging new, untested methods for reducing environmental footprints at cycling events. This could range from sustainable travel initiatives and waste reduction techniques to energy-efficient technology or energy trials.
Note the fund cannot be applied retrospectively, it must be for a new initiative taking place after funding has been awarded, and the project should be delivered this financial year.
Think you're eligible?
Financial support for the initial accelerator fund and innovation reward has been provided by our partner, Shell UK, as part of its commitment to help accelerate British Cycling’s journey to net zero.
