North Paddington Canalside Activation Grant - Round 1: North Paddington Canalside Festival

We are delighted to inform you that we have launched the North Paddington Canalside Activation Grant, as a part of the wider North Paddington Canalside programme. Local organisations, residents and businesses who would like to, or are already, delivering activities on the North Paddington Canalside are invited to apply for funding between £500 to £5,000 to support their events on the Canalside.

We will be offering two round of grant funding, with applicants invited to apply for one or both:

• Round 1: North Paddington Canalside Festival. Activations to take place across four weekends in September 2025. Apply via this link.
• Round 2: North Paddington Canalside Activation. Activations to take place between Autumn 2025 - Spring 2026. Application details to be announced in September 2025.

Round 1: North Paddington Canalside Festival

The festival will be a vibrant, community-driven celebration designed to build long-term connection to the canal through awareness, ownership, and joy. It invites local people to explore the canal’s history and ecology, empowers them to care for and engage with the space, and celebrates its potential through arts, nature, and water sports. The festival is primarily intended to take place under the Westway flyover, as well as to the west in the grassy area in front of Westbourne Park Bus Garage, to activate the site ahead of permanent improvements and transform the space into an inviting place where all are welcome.

The festival will host community-run activities across four weekends in September 2025. We invite applicants to apply to deliver their events on any of the four festival weekends:

• Saturday 6th September: 'Biodiversity' theme
• Saturday 13th September: 'Health & wellbeing' theme
• Saturday 20th September: 'Culture & Creativity' theme
• Weekend of 27th & 28th September: Finale weekend

Please note that all events will be FREE for the public to attend.

Funding drop-in sessions

A drop-in session will be held to provide an opportunity for applicants to find out more about the grant, ask questions about the application process and network with others to team up to apply for joint submissions. Please register for the drop-in sessions on Eventbrite.

• Venue: Grand Junction, Rowington Close, London, W2 5TF
• Date: Wednesday 11th June 2025
• Time: 3-5pm

Thank you and we look forward to receiving your application!