Falkirk Canal Connections is here to create a better future for our canal-side communities.
Falkirk sits at the heart of central Scotland’s canal network and the old industrial heartland of the country. In recent years, our canals have been revitalised, creating new, world-famous tourist attractions along the way. Now, the canal network is offering exciting opportunities for the local communities it runs through.
Falkirk Canal Connections brings together organisations and community groups to deliver big changes to local areas. Together, we’re delivering projects that improve the environment, create new jobs and opportunities, and help everyone enjoy the canals on their doorstep.
Falkirk Canal Connections is here to create a better future for our canal-side communities.
Falkirk sits at the heart of central Scotland’s canal network and the old industrial heartland of the country. In recent years, our canals have been revitalised, creating new, world-famous tourist attractions along the way. Now, the canal network is offering exciting opportunities for the local communities it runs through.
Falkirk Canal Connections brings together organisations and community groups to deliver big changes to local areas. Together, we’re delivering projects that improve the environment, create new jobs and opportunities, and help everyone enjoy the canals on their doorstep.
We’re doing this by focussing on four key areas
Healthier connections
We’re supporting people in canal-side communities to live healthier and more active lives. From encouraging people to get outside and cycle, walk or paddle more, to helping people living with conditions such as dementia enjoy the outdoors, we want our canals to be accessible and beneficial to all.
Our projects include:
- Upgrading towpaths to improve safe access
- Offering free Ebike hire to targeted groups
- Engaging the community in plans to upgrade Easter Carmuirs Park
- Art-based activities for older people and people with additional support needs
Environment connections
As an area, Falkirk is cutting harmful carbon emissions as part of a national effort to tackle climate change and meet net-zero targets. This will improve the air that we breathe and help protect our local environment, as well as create new kinds of jobs and opportunities. We want our canal-side communities to benefit from improvements in the local environment and be part of the new ‘green economy’.
Our projects include:
- Offering an innovative new ‘Responsible Tourism’ qualification
- Delivering a programme of online climate emergency training and accreditation
- Identifying actions with local people to improve the environment and cut carbon emissions
- Developing a sustainable tourism action plan for The Falkirk Wheel
- Using the Wheel as a place to demonstrate sustainable technologies and innovations
Business and employment connections
We’re here to support the development of business and job opportunities that benefit local communities and improve job prospects for local people.
This includes:
- Supporting business opportunities as part of the redevelopment of Lock 16 on the Forth & Clyde Canal
- Supporting business opportunities at The Falkirk Wheel
- Supporting an artist in residence to work with communities to create local art installations
Community connections
We’re connected to our local canal-side communities, and we want to engage them in everything we do. That’s why we’re focussing on developing local skills and facilities to help communities maintain and enjoy their canals.
This includes:
- Opening a Repair Shop to help local people gain new skills
- A Canal College programme that includes hands-on experience to conserve canal greenspaces
- Supporting work experience focussed on environmental management of the local area
- Developing traditional, digital and design skills linked to canal development
Healthier living
We’re supporting people in canal-side communities to live healthier and more active lives. From encouraging people to get outside and cycle, walk or paddle more, to helping people living with conditions such as dementia enjoy the outdoors, we want our canals to be accessible and beneficial to all.
Our projects include:
- Upgrading towpaths to improve safe access
- Offering free Ebike hire to targeted groups
- Engaging the community in plans to upgrade Easter Carmuirs Park
- Art-based activities for older people and people with additional support needs
Improving the environment
As an area, Falkirk is cutting harmful carbon emissions as part of a national effort to tackle climate change and meet net-zero targets. This will improve the air that we breathe and help protect our local environment, as well as create new kinds of jobs and opportunities. We want our canal-side communities to benefit from improvements in the local environment and be part of the new ‘green economy’.
Our projects include:
- Offering an innovative new ‘Responsible Tourism’ qualification
- Delivering a programme of online climate emergency training and accreditation
- Identifying actions with local people to improve the environment
- Developing a sustainable tourism action plan for The Falkirk Wheel
- Using the Wheel as a place to demonstrate sustainable technologies and innovations
Business and employment opportunities
We’re here to support the development of business and job opportunities that benefit local communities and improve job prospects for local people.
This includes:
- Supporting business opportunities as part of the redevelopment of Lock 16 on the Forth & Clyde Canal
- Supporting business opportunities at The Falkirk Wheel
- Supporting an artist in residence to work with communities to create local art installations
Community connections
We’re connected to our local canal-side communities, and we want to engage them in everything we do. That’s why we’re focussing on developing local skills and facilities to help communities maintain and enjoy their canals.
This includes:
- Opening a Repair Shop to help local people gain new skills
- A Canal College programme that includes hands-on experience to conserve canal greenspaces
- Supporting work experience focussed on environmental management of the local area
- Developing traditional, digital and design skills linked to canal development
Our partners
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. It is also supported by nine lead organisations in the Falkirk area.
The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-community-renewal-fund-prospectus
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about any of the activities being delivered by Falkirk Canal Connections, please get in touch:
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about any of the activities being delivered by Falkirk Canal Connections, please get in touch:
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