Volunteers participating in a community cleanup organized by Aire Rivers Trust to improve local river environments.
Apply for a grant to help look after your bit of the River Aire
The Aire Rivers Trust have launched a Community Grant Scheme offering grants of up to £500 each to local groups looking after the River Aire and/or its tributaries. The funding can be used to undertake small-scale heritage-related engagement activities or minor capital works. The scheme supports the aims of our Roots in the River Project: engaging communities with local river heritage, protecting our rivers, and widening public participation in nature conservation and appreciation, within Keighley, West Bradford and around Fagley Beck (North-East Bradford).
Minor capital works on heritage assets related to the River Aire (e.g. repairs, signage, interpretation panels)
Conservation activities including equipment needed to complete these (e.g. litter picking, path clearance)
Supporting the set-up of new Friends of Groups, who have the aim of looking after the River Aire or its tributaries.
Funding may not be used to acquire land, buildings, or heritage items.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be a local group with the aim of looking after the River Aire or its tributaries.
Demonstrate that the proposed project relates to local heritage, especially river heritage
Have the capacity to deliver the project by the agreed completion date (to be discussed)
Required documentation may include:
Governing document, unless this is the creation of a new group, in which case the funding can be used to support set up
Proof of ownership (if applicable)
Recent accounts or 3 months of bank statements. If the organisation does not yet have a bank account then the Aire Rivers Trust can hold funds for the group, but money must be spent by the end of the project’
Assessment criteria
Your application will be assessed using the following criteria, so please ensure that it contains reference to all of them:
Relevance to river or local heritage (30%)
Community engagement and impact (30%)
Feasibility and value for money (20%)
Organisational capacity (20%)
Application Process
Download and complete the application form below and return to contact@aireriverstrust.org.uk by Monday 30th November 2026
