To mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, the Cambrian Railway Partnership has launched a Community Grant Fund, offering financial support for projects that celebrate railway history and contribute to community development.
Awards of up to £500 are available to support creative and community driven activities that celebrate and mark Railway 200, a year-long, nationwide partnership-led campaign celebrating 200 years since the birth of the modern railway.
The Cambrian Railway Partnership welcomes applications from community organisations, charities and community interest companies located within six miles of a railway station on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and along the Wales coast to Pwllheli.
Examples of activities could include railway-themed artwork, community gatherings, events or performances, digital art or short films. This is not an exhaustive list, and the Cambrian Railway Partnership looks forward to a wide range of proposals that celebrate Railway 200.
The Grant Fund is being administered by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) and is being delivered in partnership with Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations, Mantell Gwynedd, Community Resource Shropshire and PAVO.
Through their Challenge Fund and as part of their commitment to community rail, Transport for Wales has provided half of the total grant pot of £9,000.
Deb Justice, development officer for the Cambrian Railway Partnership, said: “I am incredibly excited to be part of the Cambrian Railway Partnership and the Railway 200 initiative. Through our dedicated Grant Fund, we’re empowering groups and communities along the Cambrian Line to bring their creative and transformative Railway 200 projects to life.
“I look forward to witnessing the innovative, community-driven ideas that will come out of this grant. Thank you to Transport for Wales and PAVO for their support with this.”
Graham Davies, vice chair of the Cambrian Railway Partnership, said: “As vice chair of the Cambrian Railway Partnership, I am proud to be involved with the work we are doing enabling local groups and communities along the length of the Cambrian Line to work with Railway 200 in improving their areas. I thank Transport for Wales for their continued support.”
Applications close at 1pm on Thursday 14 August 2025. Funded projects must be fully spent by the end of March 2026 with the end-of-project report being completed by Monday 6 April 2026.
If you wish to discuss your project ideas, please contact deb.justice@pavo.org.uk.
Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Cambrian Railway Partnership via their website.
