What is the Customer and Community Improvement Fund (CCIF)?
The CCIF is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our customers and the communities we serve. Our aim is to support initiatives across our network that drive positive change and foster community development.
To date, the Customer and Community Fund has supported a total of 24 projects with over £500,000 of funding over the last two years. Read more about one of those partnerships, with national charity Missing people.
We are excited to invite applications for funding for projects to be delivered in the 2026/27 Financial Year (FY) which must be completed by 31 March 2027.
We are looking for initiatives taking place on the South Eastern Railway network. Projects should benefit communities served by one or more of our stations. See our network map.
Funding Areas
We want to support projects that enhance and make our local rail services more sustainable, promote development and well-being through equal opportunities, help reduce economic and social inequality and foster social mobility. Projects should fall within one or more of the following categories:
- Local skills and employment – e.g. promoting the rail industry as a positive career choice, vocational skills training for young people.
- Healthier, safer and more resilient local communities – e.g. increasing awareness of rail safety, promoting well-being and mental health, reducing anti-social behaviour.
- Sustainable railway – e.g. promoting rail travel and walking and cycling links to/ from stations, improving information/ wayfinding to make using rail easier for customers, ways to encourage carbon reduction.
- Inclusion and diversity – e.g. activities to promote groups that are underrepresented in the southeast or wider rail industry workforce.
Funding amount
You can apply for a grant between £1,000 and £50,000. Match funding isn't a requirement but will be looked at favourably for schemes with a higher overall value.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from registered charities, constituted community groups and other types of not-for-profit organisations including community rail partnerships, business partnerships, town / county / parish / borough councils, schools, and colleges.
While we love helping our communities, there are certain types of projects we cannot consider for funding. Please review our fund guidance for more information on bid criteria and eligibility.
Download CCIF Funding Guidance PDF
How to apply?
Applying is simple! Just prepare your proposal and complete the online application by clicking the button below.
We want to ensure you have everything you need before submitting your application. However, please be aware that the online form needs to be completed in one go, and you can't save it and go back to it later. But don't worry – our handy template will help you get ready so you can simply copy & paste in your answers!
We're happy to provide alternative formats. If needed, you can contact marian.marley@southeasternrailway.co.uk
Apply now
Assessment criteria
We will use the following criteria to evaluate funding bids:
- Alignment with CCIF categories
- Addressing social mobility and social value
- Level of community engagement/support
- Accurate costings
- Deliverability
- Legacy
Timelines for your application
- Applications open: 31 October 2025
- Applications close: 31 December 2025 at 23:59 BST
- Bids reviewed: January – February 2026
- Successful bids informed: March 2026
- Project delivery commences: 1 April 2026
We will notify applicants whose application has been successful at the earliest opportunity. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we're unfortunately not able to provide feedback to everyone.
If you have any questions, please contact marian.marley@southeasternrailway.co.uk
So get involved! Apply now, spread the word, and let's work together to build a better, more reliable and sustainable railway.
Ashford International to London St Pancras
