Now, the Angling Trust is inviting applications from a wide range of angling providers including fishing clubs, commercial fisheries, charities, and local authorities seeking funding to run fun, safe and friendly angling participation events that will encourage more people to give fishing a go, or get back into angling.
Subject to available funding, awards up to £500 will be considered where the applicant is able to provide a comparable amount of match-funding (i.e. cash, voluntary time, or a mixture of the two).
Angling Improvement Fund Participation Awards must be used to fund projects to recruit new or lapsed anglers, awards can be used to pay for items that will be used to run an angling recruitment event such as
- Tackle and basic angling equipment
- Consumables such as bait etc.
- Cleaning and hygiene equipment e.g., hand sanitiser and face masks
- Social media promotion
Clive Copeland the Angling Trust’s Head of Participation commented on the fact that many angling organisations need support to run participation events which embrace the current popularity of angling. Clive said “This opportunity is great news for anyone who wants to help boost angler numbers – the funding comes from the Environment Agency which is reinvesting fishing licence income in angling, and helping to provide even more opportunities for people to experience angling in a safe and positive way outdoors, in nature. What’s more, you do not need to be an Angling Trust member organisation to apply.”
Kevin Austin, Fisheries Manager, Environment Agency, said: “We are always looking to invest in our angling community and that’s why we have used the income from the sale of rod licences to provide further funding to help grow this fantastic sport.
“The increased interest in fishing over the summer not only proves people are rediscovering its benefits, but allows us to invest more in our fisheries and the service we offer anglers. We hope that these new projects will encourage more people to give fishing a go!”
Because money distributed as Angling Improvement Fund awards comes from the sale of Environment Agency’s non-migratory trout and coarse fishing licences, projects already receiving funding from the National Angling Strategic Services Contract, projects outside of England, primarily supporting salmon and sea trout angling, or sea angling organisations are not eligible to apply.
Funding can also be used to train angling coaches where the coach will play a direct role in recruiting anglers or getting more people to go fishing again.
The deadline for applications is noon on 28th February 2021.