Paddle Trust to Open for Applications 23 October

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Formerly known as the Canoe Foundation, the Paddle Trust aims to help protect the environment and offers grants for projects across the UK that:

  • Increase or enhance existing public access points to water for all forms of paddlesport.

  • Create launching and landing sites, to and alongside water, for all sectors of the community and all abilities, that are designed to be durable and use sustainable materials when applicable.

  • Protect and enhance natural blue spaces such as rivers or coastline.

  • Are "ready to go".

Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available and will support:

  • Public launch and landing platforms, steps, ramps or other physical access points

  • Improvements to pathway and/or accessible routes to the water's edge

  • Signage or information that promotes positive behaviour (Countryside code, "Check, Clean, Dry", take litter home etc).

  • Designated or additional parking for water users

  • Works to address erosion and/or create more sustainable access points

  • Helping protect the waterway environment

  • Multi-user projects that can benefit more than one user group

  • Public projects rather than private members-only facilities.

Applications will be accepted from:

  • Clubs, community groups, Parish Councils, Local Authorities or anyone in the UK with an active interest in improving access to water for recreational users and protecting the environment.

  • Organisations or partnerships with local paddlesport groups who will continue to support the use of the improvements on an ongoing basis.

Past projects include improving access to urban waterways in Birmingham, addressing environmental access issues, such as fallen trees and river vegetation on the River Waveney in Norfolk, the redesign and reconstruction of a walkway and jetty head on Lough Henney, near Belfast, a new accessibility hoist on Wistlandpound Reservoir in Exmoor and a new pontoon at Cardiff International White Water Centre.

Applications open 23 October 2026 with a deadline of 7 December 2026. For more information, please visit Paddle Trust | Welcome to the Paddle Trust charity