Chiltern Railways launches Community Investment Fund for 2026/27
Rail operator Chiltern Railways has today (Monday 19 January) announced the launch of its Community Investment Fund (CIF) for 2026/27, offering grants to support projects that deliver meaningful social, economic and environmental benefits to communities across its network.
Applications for the fund are now open, closing on 10 February. Grants ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 are available, with the potential for match funding up to a total project value of £40,000.
The CIF is designed to deliver initiatives that improve station environments for customers, encourage sustainable and accessible travel, and strengthen community relationships. Eligible applicants include local charities, Community Interest Companies, Business Improvement Districts, Community Rail Partnerships and other not-for-profit groups.
David Heathfield, Head of Corporate Affairs at Chiltern Railways, said: “I am excited to announce that applications are now open for our 2026/27 Community Investment Fund, building on Chiltern’s track record of delivering social value projects in our communities.
“We look forward to receiving applications from a diverse range of not-for-profit charities, community groups and organisations over the next month.”
For more information and to apply, visit Chiltern’s website here.
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Notes to editors
- Chiltern Railways is part of the Arriva group, one of the leading providers of passenger transport in Europe, employing around 36,200 people and delivering around 1.5 billion passenger journeys across 11 European countries.
- Chiltern operates commuter/regional rail passenger services from its Central London terminus at London Marylebone along the M40 corridor to destinations in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, as well as long-distance services to the West Midlands along two routes. Services on the Chiltern Main Line run from London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, with some peak-hour services to Stourbridge Junction.
- Chiltern also runs trains on the London to Aylesbury Line to Aylesbury (with some trains terminating at Aylesbury Vale Parkway instead), on the Princes Risborough to Aylesbury and Oxford to Bicester branch lines.