Community groups in the Liverpool City Region are being invited to apply for a new legacy fund designed to boost cycling participation ahead of the area hosting the Tour de France Grand Départ next year.
The Liverpool City Region Major Sports Small Grants Programme is offering funding between £1,000 and £5,000 for local organisations to deliver inclusive and sustainable cycling projects. Applications for the grants opened on Tuesday, 10 November.
The fund is part of a broader social impact programme for the 2027 race, which will see the Liverpool City Region host the finish of the men’s Stage 2 on Saturday, 3 July. The initiative is supported by the Combined Authority alongside Knowsley, Liverpool, and St Helens councils.
Eligible applicants include affiliated cycling clubs, charities, community interest companies, and neighbourhood groups. Projects may focus on expanding existing cycling programmes, developing local leaders, or reaching underrepresented communities to ensure the event leaves a lasting impact.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said the fund aims to give more local people the opportunity to discover the benefits of cycling. He noted that while the race lasts for a day, the regional impact should last for years.
The initiative forms part of a wider effort to improve local infrastructure, with the Combined Authority currently working to deliver a 600 km active travel network across the region. Successful projects are required to be delivered between March 2027 and March 2028.
Applications for the grants must be submitted by 11:59pm on Tuesday, 1 December 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by the authorities during the week commencing 4 January 2027.
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