Laying the foundations: Funding
Top Tips
Search for available funding using the VisitEngland Grant Funding and Bid Writing Toolkit and the resources below
Consider partnering with other regional organisations to spread the cost of initiatives
Promote relevant funding streams to your businesses
Source funding
The Kick-Start programme is designed to help you begin to develop your destination accessibility using the resources you already have. Its primary focus is information provision. However, depending on what your aims are for this programme, you may want to seek a small amount of funding to support you through this work. You may also need funding to support other activities, such as a destination audit to help inform your development plans.
The Enhanced programme requires a bigger budget for which additional funding is likely to be required. The provision of seed funding for businesses also forms part of the programme.
You may also decide to offer funding for your businesses outside of any specific development programme as outlined in the case study below, for which the following Seed Funding: Example List of Fundable Items tool in the download section of this toolkit may be useful.
Case study: East Devon Tourism Network
The East Devon Tourism Network (EDTN) is a forum for tourism businesses to connect, collaborate, and share good practice.
The network was created as part of a tourism strategy for East Devon which launched in 2022. The key elements of the strategy are to support the tourism sector to become more sustainable and inclusive. It encourages growth through a commitment to sustainability, accessibility, quality and collaboration.
The EDTN have allocated money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund into a Sustainable Tourism Fund, for businesses to either purchase, install and utilise specific equipment to decarbonise their operations or to improve the accessibility of their premises. Tourism businesses are able to apply for 50% matched funding towards the cost of relevant equipment, with grants of between £2.5K and £5k available.
Information provided on the East Devon website gives an overview of the fund and the application process. Examples of equipment which can help to improve accessibility are also provided to help inspire businesses.
If you need to source additional funding to support your accessibility development work, information and guidance is provided in the VisitEngland Grant Funding and Bid Writing Toolkit.
Work in partnership
There are many regional organisations who are also working to enhance your destination. Working with, or forming project partnerships with them, may help you to fund and resource your accessible tourism development project. Potential partner organisations include:
- Local Authorities, district and borough councils;
- National Park Authorities and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conservation Boards;
- Business Improvement Districts (BIDs);
- Local Enterprise Partnerships;
- Wildlife Trusts;
- Other LVEPs in your region.
It may also be useful to look out for existing networks in your destination and tap into them to support your work. An example of this is the North-East Visitor Attraction Network in the Newcastle area which has been facilitated by Attitude is Everything.
Promote funding for businesses
Let your businesses know about any funding or grants available to help them develop their accessible tourism offering. You can also signpost them to the funding information provided in the VisitEngland Business Advice Hub.
Moving on
The building blocks within this section cover the essential elements needed to lay the foundations for an accessible destination.
The rest of this toolkit helps to bring elements of these building blocks together, providing guidance on two specific accessible tourism development programmes:
- The Kick-Start programme. Recommended as a first step for all LVEPs, this programme is designed to support you in starting your accessible destination development, using the resources you already have.
- The Enhanced programme. Requiring additional resources, this programme offers a process of intensive business support to enhance destination accessibility, enabling you to market the accessibility of services and products with greater assurance.
