The Motability Foundation has launched new grants to support community and shared transport services, aiming to enable disabled people to travel independently and live with greater dignity. These grants are part of the foundation’s new funding rounds, announced in July, which support the delivery of its five-year strategy to improve transport access for disabled communities.
Charities and organisations can apply for funding to enhance existing services or create new initiatives. Grants can be used to cover staffing, vehicles, operational costs, and infrastructure improvements. To broaden access, eligibility criteria have been updated to include organisations that have been active for at least three years and have an annual turnover of £50,000 or more. Large grants range from £150,000 to £1 million, while small grants range from £50,000 to £149,999.
In addition to direct service funding, a dedicated funding round has been launched to promote innovation and resilience in the community transport sector. This includes supporting projects that explore new operating models, shared infrastructure, collaborative approaches, and volunteer development. Funding for these innovation projects ranges from £50,000 to £1 million over one to three years.
Ruba Aljarf, Programme Director at the Motability Foundation, emphasized the transformative potential of these funding rounds. She highlighted that the initiative aims to create immediate impact while building a stronger and more innovative community and shared transport sector. By enhancing accessibility, the foundation seeks to ensure that disabled people can live the lives they choose and foster collaboration across organisations to promote transport equity.
