Local organisations are being encouraged to apply for a multi-million pound fund that supports people to travel in more active and sustainable ways.

The Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund provides grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 for projects with innovative ideas on how to make walking, cycling, wheeling and public transport the natural choice when travelling.

Now in its fifth year, the Open Fund is run by national walking charity Paths for All and supported by Transport Scotland.

Chief executive officer at Paths for All, Kevin Lafferty, said the charity is “thrilled” to support more people to travel in ways that are beneficial to their health and wellbeing as well as protecting the environment.

He said: “I’d encourage anyone with an active travel idea to get in touch with us and find out how we can help get projects off the ground.

"Together we can work towards creating a happier, healthier and greener Scotland.”

In the past, the Open Fund has supported active travel initiatives to make e-bikes more readily available, help those affected by deafness to walk and given walking paths a new lease of life.

This year, the amount of funding available to local community, public and third sector organisations has more than doubled.

Scotland’s Active Travel Minister, Patrick Harvie MSP, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to double this year’s Open Fund to £5 million – reflecting both the popularity of the fund and the effectiveness of giving community groups the flexibility to draw down funding and spend as they see fit to deliver initiatives that provide the best value for money in the communities they serve.”

For more information and to apply, visit: Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund | Paths for All