Sustainable Development Fund

What is the Sustainable Development Fund?

The Fund has been provided by Government to support sustainable development in national parks. Local arrangements have been set up by the Peak District National Park Authority and will operate until 2011.

Sustainable Development: what does this mean?

The official version: "...development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

The simple version: "...developing and testing practical sustainable ways of living in and around the Peak District National Park now and in the future."

So the fund is looking for ideas that will help us all live and work in a way that doesn't threaten our planet now or in the future.

What can we fund?

• Project materials, equipment and implementation
• Feasibility studies
• Labour or contractors' costs
• Publicity and marketing

Volunteer time and professional costs can also qualify in putting your project together.
If applications are approved grants are normally available of up to:

• 75% for community & environmental projects
• 50% for business projects

Who can apply?

All applications for a grant of over £1,000 will be assessed by an independent panel. Panel meetings are held quarterly. The dates of forthcoming meetings and the application deadlines are below:

Application Deadline: Friday 28th November 2008 -  for panel meeting on Tuesday 20th January 2009

Application Deadline: Friday 27th March 2009  - for panel meeting on Tuesday 28th April 2009

Application Deadline: Friday 12th June 2009  - for panel meeting on Tuesday 14th July 2009

Application Deadline: Friday 11th September 2009  - for panel meeting on Tuesday 13th October 2009

Application Deadline: Friday 27th November 2009 - for panel meeting on Tuesday 26th January 2010

Applicants can be located within or outside the National Park boundaries.

The fund is open to any individual or organisation from the public, private or voluntary sectors, or a collective of these.

We would like to fund a range of projects from the very local to those that benefit the whole of the National Park.

Your project can involve

• Adjusting to climate change
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Renewable energy
• Taking care of the environment
• Careful use of natural resources
• Community involvement
• Partnerships with other organisations
• Celebrating local and diverse cultures and traditions
• Promoting action by young people
• Helping communities to be more aware of sustainability issues
• Education for sustainable development
• Making it easier for people to get out and about
• Promoting sustainable travel

What should projects aim for?

We're looking for projects that will do at least one of the following:

• Reduce climate change
• Develop renewable energy
• Help people to understand and cope with climate change
• Get young people involved in sustainable development projects
• Encourage links with urban groups and visitors for sustainability purposes  
• Influence or set up businesses that won’t harm the planet’s future
• Support new sustainable development initiatives for communities  
• Explore and support new ‘models’ or ‘best practice’ for sustainable living
• Create new partnerships or networking opportunities
• Encourage partnerships with disadvantaged groups

More ideas for projects

Choosing projects

You can apply for grants of several hundred or several thousand pounds.

Make sure your project's main focus is linked to sustainable development in some way – and don't forget to keep the purposes or special qualities of the National Park at its heart. This year, in line with national priorities, the National Park Management Plan and our proposed Climate Change Plan, we want to encourage projects to recognise and address the effects of global warming and increasing energy consumption.

This is a competitive process and all applications for a grant of over £1,000 will be assessed by an Independent Panel made up of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Funding could be spread over more than one year, subject to the Panel approval.

All projects must involve some form of sustainable development. Some will be directly beneficial to the environment, for instance conservation work or projects that help to reduce the environmental problems that transport can cause. Others will tackle social problems, improve social inclusion or help to develop the local economy – again looking at ways that do not damage the environment and are careful of natural resources.

In addition, projects should be in keeping with National Park objectives and complement national or local strategies such as Local Agenda 21, Biodiversity Action Plans or the National Park Management Plan.

Some of the projects we have funded

Thinking about renewable energy?

Reports

Who can I speak to about the Sustainable Development Fund?

The National Park Authority will help and advise on the preparation of your application.

SDF Staff and Panel Members

This Scheme is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and managed by the Peak District National Park Authority.