Northumberland Coast AONB Sustainable Development Fund

The Sustainable Development Fund aims to:

• Support projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits in the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
• Develop and test new ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in this area of great beauty and diversity.

Grants are available to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.

The grant fund of £80,000 for 2007/08 has now been allocated. However, a similar amount has been provisionally allocated for the following two years.

Grant amounts

• Grants will normally be in the range of £3,000 - £20,000.  Greater awards may be made by negotiation, in certain circumstance, at the discretion of the Apparaisal Panel.
• In general, the scheme will provide up to 75% funding for charities, trusts, community and voluntary organisations, although in exceptional cases 100% may be provided.
• The scheme will provide up to 50% funding for businesses and local authorities.

What is Sustainable Development?

There are many different definitions of sustainable development. We have set out below the definition that we will be using when we consider projects for the fund.

Sustainable Development will promote and enhance the environmental, economic and community well being of the Northumberland Coast AONB, to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.

According to the UK Sustainable Development Strategy, achieving sustainable development requires working towards four main 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
• Prudent use of natural resources

Why has Northumberland Coast AONB been chosen?
What kind of project is eligible?
Who can apply?
How we assess your application and submission deadlines

If you are interested in applying to the Sustainable Development Fund, please complete an initial Expression of Interest Form and return to the grant scheme administrator. We will then advise you on the appropriate scheme for your project.

• Expression of Interest Form
• FAQs
• Information and Guidance
• Grant Application Process
• Sustainability Checklist and Guidance
• Application Form - RSPB (Example Only)
• Application Form - Walking to Health Berwick Borough (Example Only)
  For further advice and information, please contact Catherine Gray (Grant Scheme Administrator).

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