A CHARITY has launched three funds worth £7 million encouraging people to choose active travel.

The Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Active Nation Fund worth £1.5 million, the Ian Findlay Path Fund worth £1.5 million and the £5 million SCSP Open Fund have been announced by Paths for All this month.

Supported by Transport Scotland and back by the government, the funds seek to encourage people to drive less and instead walk, wheel or cycle as part of their everyday short journeys to cut emissions.

Patrick Harvie, minister for active travel, said: “I’m pleased to welcome the launch of three active travel funding opportunities delivered through Paths for All.

“This will help to support the growing ambitions of public, third and community-sector organisations to provide bigger and better active travel opportunities right across Scotland.

“As part of our record funding for active travel, this work directly supports our ambitions to build a more active nation – where more people can choose to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys than ever before, and I look forward to seeing the success of new projects in action.”

The SCSP Active Nation Fund invites public, community and third-sector organisations to apply for up to £200,000 to support projects which encourage everyday travel behaviour change on a national or multi-regional level in Scotland.

To commemorate the legacy of the former Paths for All CEO, the Ian Findlay Path Fund supports projects designed to make improvements to local walkways and paths, and to make them more accessible to all.

Applicants can receive a grant of up to £100,000 for their project.

First launched in 2018, the SCSP Open Fund grants communities and public and third-sector organisations up to £100,000, encouraging people to change their everyday travel behaviours – such as using sustainable travel for longer journeys.

Applications opened on June 6, visit pathsforall.org.uk for more.