Sustainable Development Fund

The Wetland ProjectThe Sustainable Development Fund is there for the benefit Northumberland National Park. It is open to local communities and businesses as well as groups wishing to visit the protected area. Applicants can apply for funding using a simple application form, which is available from our Community Officers.

Elsdon Village HallSustainable development is about promoting ways of living and working that allows people to enjoy life, businesses to prosper and communities to thrive.

The Camping PodsAt the same time, it is about enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Northumberland National Park and affording opportunities for an understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public. In this way, the economy is best understood as part of society, which in turn is part of the wider environment.

In order to apply for a grant or loan from the Sustainable Development Fund, you will need to propose a project idea. A project is a distinct piece of work to be carried out, is additional to the usual day-to-day activity of an individual or organisation.

What are the aims of the Sustainable Development Fund?

The projects that the Sustainable Development Fund can support must be of benefit to Northumberland National Park. For projects that fall outside of the boundary, you must be able to demonstrate that the benefits will be transferred to the communities that fall within the boundary.

Your project must demonstrate outputs and outcomes that can be classified by at least one of the headings below. The emphasis should always be on the quality of the project rather than quantity of headings that you feel that your project can meet. The panel will look for an integrated approach where the opportunities are maximised.

• Natural Environment. For example, habitat and/or species protection
• Cultural Environment. For example, art, music festivals, historic artefacts, and/or museums
• Land Management. For example, irrigation, peat bog management, reforestation, organic farming practices, and/or allotments
• Participation. Engaging local communities and/or volunteers in the development and delivery of the project
• Energy. Generating and/or conserving energy in a sustainable way
• Young People. Engaging this particular group with the National Park
• Recycling. Both using recycled materials and passing on products to be recycled by others
• Education. Focussing on learning
• Access. Helping people to access the National Park
• Training. Focusing on the development of skills
• New Experiences. Bringing people into the National Park who have been never visited before
• Local Employment. Creating jobs as a result of the project}
• Health. For example, promoting local produce and/or physical exercise
• Event Management. For example, a demonstration project and/or a fête
• Collaborative Partnerships. Drawing upon shared expertise and resources
• Added Value. Increase in value that the new product or service will bring
• National Exemplar. For example, interpretation, newsletters, demonstrations and/or website pages
• Social Justice. Distributing the advantages, assets, and benefits among all members of society
• Sustainable Tourism. Tourism that has a low impact on the environment
• Rural Diversification. Broadening existing activities. For example, workshops and/or accommodation
• Sustainable Transport. For example, walking, cycling, public transport, and/or the hiring of a minibus
• Local Spend. Benefitting other rural services.

As a guide, communities can apply for up to 75% of their project costs, and businesses for up to 50%. Please read our Funding Guide for help in applying for funding.

The Panel always look to support innovative projects that haven’t been tested before. If you are applying for up to £5,000 you are only required to submit the Sustainable Development Fund Application Form. If you are applying for £5,000 or greater you are also required to submit a business plan; a governing document (community organisations only) and a recent bank statement (community organisations only).

The business plan should include further details of your project, a cash-flow forecast, a work-schedule, a risk assessment and an equal opportunities statement.

Governance Arrangements

 The Sustainable Development Fund is governed by an independent Panel consisting of:

• Peter Nicholson (Chair), Member of Northumberland National Park Authority
• Mervyn D. Anthony (Vice Chair), Ecology Consultant
• Dr. Anna Charlton, a National Park Resident
• Dr. Elizabeth Stockdale, Member of Northumberland National Park Authority
• Jane Brantom, Owner of Heritage and Tourism Connections
• John Goodfellow, Owner of the Otterburn Tower Hotel
• John Hartshorne, Chair of Otterburn Parish Council.

The Panel meet on a quarterly basis in and around Northumberland National Park.

Notes

• The SDF supports grants and loans.
• All renewable energy projects that qualify for other sources of public funding, including start-up costs and payment schemes are no longer eligible to apply for a grant.
• All projects must demonstrate that they deliver the National Park Management Plan.
• Funding decisions for applications up to £3,000 may be made by the Authority.
• Funding decisions for applications of £3,000 or greater will be made by the independent Panel.
• Applicants requesting £5,000 of greater will be offered the opportunity to present their project in-person (15 minutes maximum).
• Please see the eligibility guidelines for further information.

The Application Form for the Sustainable Development Fund is not available from this website. In order to be considered for a support, in the first instance you should contact the Community Officers.

This page was last updated on 5th January 2012. Please send any questions to: funding@nnpa.org.uk.