Funding is available to support projects that bring environmental, social, economic or community benefits to the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A total of £65,000 is available to distribute to businesses, local groups, individuals and organisations for projects that help deliver the AONB Management Plan.
‘Whether people have a clear project proposal or are at the ideas stage and feel it will help deliver the Management Plan, I would encourage them to contact me for advice and/or help drafting their application. The SDF has proved an excellent source of project funding for a wide range of projects over the fours years that we have been running the scheme.’ Gail Graham, AONB Development Officer said.
The next deadline is 3rd July 2009. Projects can apply for up to 75% of their total budget and the additional funding can be made up from ‘in-kind’ costs although applicants are also encouraged to find match funding from other sources. In past years grants have ranged from £300 up to £25000. The Mendip Hills AONB Management Plan 2009 – 2014 is available here
The Management Plan sets out a vision for what the area should look like in 20 years time and suggests some actions to achieve this.
Further dates for SDF application deadlines and Panel meetings are available on the AONB website, together with application forms and guidance information. If you would like to discuss a project with a view to obtaining a SDF grant, please contact Gail Graham, Development Officer at the Mendip Hills AONB Service 01761 462338.
Mendip Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) 2009/10
Funding is available to support projects that bring environmental, social, economic or community benefits to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Last year, the SDF awarded over £60,000 to 16 projects including the Hawk and Owl Trust Long-eared Owl Schools initiative, the East Harptree Village Shop and a nature trail at Barton Camp. Grants ranged in size from £300 - £12,000. This year, the fund provided by Natural England is £65,000.
The Mendip Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund Panel meets several times during the year to consider applications. The first deadline for applications is 17 April. The Panel will meet on 29 April to consider the applications.
‘We encourage applications from all sectors of the community including business, local groups, individuals and national organisations. Projects must link with the aims of the new AONB Management Plan 2009-2014' said Sarah Jackson AONB Manager.
The Mendip Hills AONB Management Plan 2009 – 2014 is available on the Partnership page of this web site. The Management Plan highlights the special qualities of the AONB, the challenges the area faces and suggests how these might be addressed.
Further dates for SDF application deadlines and Panel meetings are available on the AONB website, together with application forms and guidance information. If you would like to discuss a project with a view to obtaining a SDF grant, please contact Gail Graham, Development Officer at the Mendip Hills AONB Service 01761 462338.
The Sustainable Development Fund supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It aims to develop and test new methods of achieving a more sustainable way of life in this area of beauty and diversity.
The SDF provides grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.
"Sustainable development will promote and enhance the environmental, economic and community well-being of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come."
Achieving sustainable development requires working towards four 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
Careful use of natural resources
Individual projects can place particular emphasis on any one of the four goals. Ideally, they should seek to make progress on all of them, but demonstrate no negative impact on any.
For more information on types of eligible projects, who can apply and how we assess applications see the SDF Information Sheet.
All the documents you need to apply are listed below. Completed Application Forms can be emailed or posted back to us. Please do not submit handwritten applications.
Minutes of the most recent meeting of the Grant Panel are here and archived minutes can be found HERE
