Sustainable Development Fund
‘Local funding for local projects’
The Sustainable Development Fund provides financial support to projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the National Park. £180,000 is available every year to develop and test new ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in this area of great beauty and diversity.
What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development is about promoting the health and wellbeing of the environment, economy and people. It means living our lives in a way that minimises our destruction of the planet to ensure it can be enjoyed by future generations here and across the world.
These are just a few of the exciting projects we have already helped:
- England’s first eco youth hostel in Lockton
- Schemes to recycle farm waste plastics
- A community car share club
- Local children learning from local producers
- Promotion of wood fuels
- A project to save important arable flower species
- Adults with learning difficulties helping to restore local orchards
To download a copy of Introduction to SDF leaflet about the fund select this link.
FAQs about the fund
What type of projects do you fund?
Projects that demonstrate all of the following:
- Environmental, social and economic sustainability
- Conservation and understanding of the National Park
- Support or involvement of local communities
- Innovation, creativity or best practice
Grants can cover:
- Practical work, capital and revenue expenditure
- Feasibility studies or research projects
- Group or partnership development
- Awareness raising and training about sustainability
We are also looking for projects that create links between urban areas and the National Park and those involving young people.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from community group, voluntary sector, individuals, businesses and the public and private sector.
How big are individual grants?
Grants range from a few hundred pounds to £40,000 and can provide up to 75% of the project costs.
Must my project be in the National Park?
Any project that involves a part of the National Park is eligible and existing projects can be introduced to the National Park from elsewhere.
How do you assess applications?
We will start by assessing your application against our sustainability checklist. We will give priority to projects that:
- Are innovative or demonstrate best practice
- Involve young people
- Fully explore opportunities for bringing in funds and/or support in kind from other sources
- Add value or new dimensions to existing sustainability projects
Can I talk to someone about my idea?
If you would like an informal chat about your proposed project please call Gillian Storey on 01439 770657. You can also discuss your ideas with the National Park Ranger for your area.
How to Apply
Applications under £1000 are decided by National Park Authority Officers. Decisions are made on a monthly basis. Our Grant Panel meets to consider applications over £1000 six times a year and applicants are notified straight after the meeting.
Grant Panel Meeting Dates for 2009:
30 July 2009
24 September 2009
26 December 2009
*All full applications must be submitted in draft to the SDF Officer 2.5 weeks prior to decisions panel meeting.
Applying – step by step guide
1. Complete the Project Ideas Form in conjunction with reading an Introduction to SDF and send this back to us. You are just expressing your interest at this stage and you will not make a full application until later.
2. If your application meets our sustainability criteria we will contact you and arrange to visit you if appropriate to discuss your project ideas further. You will then be invited to make a full application.
3. Submit your draft application 2.5 weeks before any of our future Grant Panel meetings.
4. Your application will be considered by our grant panel and we will let you know whether or not it has been successful.
Project examples
We have already helped over 100 innovative local projects that are making a real difference to the National Park and the people who live here. These examples give you an idea of the sort of things we fund – although your project may be very different!
England’s first eco youth hostel
We supported the YHA’s first Green Beacon hostel in Lockton. The building includes exciting new features like sheep’s wool insulation, photovoltaic solar panels, a living sedum roof and solar showers.
Local orchards
Our grant has helped provide employment for people with learning disabilities and bring local orchards back into production.
Charcoal co-operative
The Yorkshire Burners produce a local, sustainable alternative to charcoal from overseas, which is often produced from endangered tropical forests.
Helping biodiversity
The Fletcher Harvester and Spreader supports local biodiversity by creating and maintaining species-rich flower meadows.
To find out more about all the projects we have helped fund since 2003 please see full list of projects document.
