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
