The Sustainable Development Fund

Do you have a project that helps to keep the Kent Downs a special place? Then the sustainable development fund maybe able to help you. It is now time to apply for funding. So if you have a project which helps support the Kent Downs AONB management plan and can be completed by the end of the March 2011, then NOW is the time to apply.

What is the Sustainable Development Fund?
The Sustainable Development Fund is a grant scheme for the Kent Downs AONB. We have £40 000 available in the fund until the end of March 2011 to be used as Grants to Local Authorities, organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals allowing them to develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life. Grants of up to 75% are available.

What kinds of projects can be funded?

Successful projects must:
Have a positive impact on the AONB
Be sustainable against an appropriate test of sustainable development Have the demonstrable support or involvement of communities

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

• Practical work
• Feasibility studies or research projects
• Group or partnership development
• Awareness raising and training about sustainability

Priority will be given to projects that:

• involve young people combat social exclusion
• bring organisations and people together to co-operate in tackling problems or promoting new ideas
• encourage links between urban groups and those resident in the AONB
• demonstrate innovation or best practice

Is your project a sustainable development project?

Successful projects must meet the following core criteria:

• Further the purposes of AONBs

• Sustainability, against an appropriate test of sustainable development

• Have the demonstrable support or involvement of communities

• Be complementary to key local, regional and national strategies (e.g. Local Agenda 21)

• Help deliver the AONB Management Plan

Is your project a sustainable development project?

Look at the checklist and see how your project fits the fund criteria.

This checklist is part of the application form and is included here for information, just to give you an idea of how you project should meet the criteria. Projects should meet all of the core criteria. The more desirable criteria your project meets the better chance it has of being funded.

For further information and an application form:

SDF Guidelines