Sustainable Development Fund Guidance Notes

What is Sustainable Development?

There are various definitions of sustainable development. Set out below is the definition that we will use when considering projects for the fund.

Sustainable Development will promote and enhance the environmental, economic and community well-being of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.

According to the UK Sustainable Development Strategy, achieving sustainable development requires working towards four main goals at the same time:

• Social progress which meets the needs of everyone
• Effective protection of the environment
• Ensuring a diverse and prosperous rural economy
• Prudent use of natural resources

What is the Sustainable Development Fund?

The Sustainable Development Fund is a grant scheme. It supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The fund is available until April 2008. This will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to develop and test new methods of achieving a more sustainable way of life in this area of great beauty and diversity.

Why has the Forest of Bowland AONB been chosen?

The Forest of Bowland is one of 36 AONBs in England. They extend over more than 15 per cent of England’s land area and represent some of our finest landscapes. They are statutory designations, set up with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the areas they cover. The Fund seeks to foster projects that are the best of their kind in these outstanding and vulnerable areas.

What kind of project is eligible?

Successful projects must demonstrate that they:

• Further the purposes of AONBs (see below)
• Are sustainable against an appropriate test of sustainable development (see below)
• Have the demonstrable support or involvement of communities
• Are complementary to key local, regional and national strategies (e.g. Local Agenda 21)
• Help deliver the AONB Management Plan

Projects should also:

• Conserve the important landscape and cultural and built heritage of the Forest of Bowland
• Link the nearby urban populations with the AONB
• Conserve Bowland’s most important species and habitats
• Support the development of renewable energy, and the networking of ideas and knowledge to co-operatively produce and supply renewable energy within Bowland
• Provide access for all
• Create sustainable forms of interpretation for communities and visitors

Grants can cover the costs of some or all of the following:

• Practical work
• Feasibility studies or research projects (up to £5000 only)
• Group or partnership development
• Awareness raising and training about sustainability

Examples of projects/project aspects you could include:

• renewable / green energy schemes
• sustainable transport
• environmental building design
• awareness campaigns
• innovative products or initiatives
• community youth schemes
• conservation activities

Grants can be used to:

• Pump-prime new sustainable development projects which have been unable to find funding from other sources
• Provide match-funding for new sustainable development projects
• Add value to existing sustainable development projects
• Add a sustainable development aspect to existing projects

Who can apply?

Public, private, voluntary sector, individuals, businesses or community groups can apply. Individuals or businesses can only be beneficiaries where the project shows a clear benefit to the wider community.

You don’t have to live or work within the AONB to apply. You must simply demonstrate that your project will have a positive impact upon the AONB and satisfy the core criteria of the grant.

How we assess your application

If you are interested in the scheme please complete a Project Ideas Form and return it to us. We will consider if your scheme is eligible for the fund, and will invite successful schemes to complete a more detailed, application, and will assign an officer to support you in developing your project and completing the form.

Your completed application form will be assessed by an countryside officer working for the Forest of Bowland AONB team, and then it will be taken to the AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund Panel where a decision is made on which grants to approve. The panel meets regularly and is made up of representatives from a range of interests, including community, business and heritage.

Smaller grants, i.e. under £5000, will be assessed by the team and you will be notified of our decision more quickly.

Before you submit an application, please speak to us! The AONB team can guide and support the development of your application where appropriate.

Grants

• Projects must be completed by 31 January 2008
• Grants will normally be in the range of £1,000 to £10,000
• The scheme can normally provide up to 50% funding for a project, although in exceptional cases 100% may be provided.
• Grants are usually paid in arrears, although we can provide funds in advance if necessary – please contact us to discuss your needs
• In all cases an agreement setting out what is required for satisfactory completion of the project will be signed prior to receipt of grant
• For match funding purposes, volunteer time can be included. It will usually be calculated at £50/day (£6.25/hr) for general volunteers and £100/day (£12.50/hr) for specialist, technical or professional volunteers.
• Support in kind, e.g. use of office space, or loan of equipment should be accurately costed and included in your application if relevant

How can we in the AONB team help?

If you would like more information or want to talk through a project idea please contact the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty unit by email to cathy.hopley@env.lancscc.gov.uk, or phone us on 01200 426 433 to obtain a project information form.

SDF is funded by DEFRA, it is delivered locally by the Forest of Bowland AONB unit and coordinated by Natural England.

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