Funding Available with the 2025 YHA Festival of Walking
Up to £1500 available towards the cost of a residential or £500 towards a day walk during the YHA Festival of Walking
20% YHA funded discount at participating hostels
No deadline - each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis but it is anticipated that all funding will be allocated by the end of June
The YHA Festival of Walking is back for it’s fourth year on Friday 12th September - Sunday 12th October 2025. This month long event aims to encourage more people to experience YHA hostels, to get involved in walking or to develop their walking experience.
As part of the festival there are grants available to community groups who want to get involved! You can apply for up to £1500 towards the cost of a residential, or £500 towards a day walk. During the festival you can also access a 20% YHA funded discount at participating hostels.
About the YHA
The YHA Is a social enterprise charity established in 1930 as part of a movement to improve access to the outdoors. Today they are a network of 150 youth hostels spanning the countryside, cities, and coasts of England & Wales. Nearly a million people stay with YHA each year and they play an important role in helping people of all ages get more active, explore new places and experience nature, heritage, and culture.
Find out more about their work with community groups through YHA Outdoor Citizens.
About the funding
During the festival communities can access a 20% YHA funded discount, at 55 participating YHA hostels. There are also bursaries available for both single day and residential events that stop, start or stay at a YHA hostel. This fund is supported by Cotswold Outdoor, Sport England and Pilgrim Trust.
There is no specific deadline to apply. However, there is a limited amount of bursary funding available. Each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis but YHA Outdoor Citizens anticipate that all funding will be allocated by end of June at the latest.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding can be used to cover hostel accommodation costs, food, transport, and essential costs associated with staff/volunteers. Examples include the hire of a qualified walk leader for your group or a contribution towards staffing time to deliver the event. Other items may be funded if they are directly related to walking and essential for your event to happen.
Who can apply?
Your group or organisation must be an Outdoor Citizens member.
The focus of your planned work must match the aims of YHA Festival of Walking – connections to nature/heritage, confidence and wellbeing
Your group or organisation must be not-for-profit.
Your group or organisation must be based in England or Wales.
How to apply
Email outdoorcitizens@yha.org.uk to find out more. Include your group information, details of where you would like to organise your walk and say that you saw it via All The Elements!
In order to be eligible for this funding, you need to be an Outdoor Citizens member. This membership is free to join, and you can find out more, see who is already part of the network, and sign up here.
