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Grants

Grants

Sustainable Development Fund...

The South Devon AONB's a grant scheme to help you deliver projects that will look after the AONB now and for the future.

South Devon AONB is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year and we are interested in supporting projects that help deliver the themes of our 50 Outstanding Years programme, please see below and for more information follow the link from our home page.  

Our 50th Anniversary programme objectives:

• To record the living history of South Devon AONB as a community.
• To celebrate the inspirational qualities of the South Devon AONB landscape. 
• To capture and celebrate local distinctiveness.
• To share / teach traditional land management skills.
• To share / teach skills necessary for maintenance of old buildings.
• To conserve or enhance the physical environment.
• To plant a publicly accessible celebratory woodland or orchard with native species & local varieties.
• To encourage / promote the purchase of local food, drink and other products.

If you feel you have a project that fits our criteria please call the office and discuss your proposal with Liz Davey, our Community Officer who may then advise you to complete an application form, or may be able to provide information about alternative sources of funding. 
 
Projects put forward for funding in this round must be completed by 31st March 2011.  If you feel your project is not achievable within that timescale please talk to us to discuss the possibility of registering an expression of interest for next year should we receive future funding; or phasing your project over more than one year again this is subject to confirmation of funding in future years.

Because we are anticipating applications throughout the year from community groups associated with our 50th anniversary programme of work we have not set the normal deadlines for SDF applications. However we have a smaller overall fund this year so please do contact Liz Davey to discuss your project and an application submission date as soon as possible!

What kind of project is eligible?

Successful projects must:

• Primarily benefit the AONB.
• Further purposes of the AONB.
• Help deliver the AONB Management Plan.
• Promote the AONB and sustainable development.
• Have the demonstrable support or involvement of communities.
• Be complementary to key local, regional or national strategies.
• Have clearly defined outputs and provide good value for money.

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.
• Equipment and materials.

The scheme particularly welcomes projects that:

• Demonstrate innovation or best practice.
• Link community, economy, culture and environment.
• Develop skills and "capacity building" in the community.
• Involve young people.
• Combat social exclusion and promote diversity.
• Bring organisations and people together to co-operate in tackling problems, or promoting new ideas.
• Encourage links between rural and urban groups.
• Lever in contributions from other sources.
• Have little access to alternative public funding.
• Add value or new dimensions to existing sustainability projects.

See below for a download containing information about projects that have already received SDF grants.

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?

Community groups, public, private or voluntary sector, individuals, and businesses can apply. 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 (see above). Community groups will need to have a basic constitution, and a bank account to receive grant payments.

All projects should help to deliver sustainable development. Please download a copy of the 'SDF Information Sheet, Guidance Notes, and Frequently Asked Questions' document below which explains what 'sustainable development' is, what the grant scheme is, what sort of projects are eligible, who can apply for a grant, and how to go about applying.

How can we in the AONB team help?

If you would like more information or want to talk through a project idea please contact Liz Davey on 01803 861183 at the AONB Office.