Sustainable Development Fund

SDF area map
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The Sustainable Development Fund is a grants scheme aimed at local people and organisations in and around Northumberland National Park. Applicants can apply for help with funding using the simple application form. The Sustainable Development Fund is provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and is managed by Northumberland National Park Authority.

Sustainable Development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. The term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined what has become the most often-quoted definition of Sustainable Development as development that:

"Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

United Nations. 1987."Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development." General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987.

Sustainable Development in and around Northumberland National Park is about promoting ways of living and working that allows people to enjoy life, businesses to prosper and communities to thrive. At the same time, it is about enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park and affording opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of the National Park’s special qualities by the public.

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

What are the aims of the Sustainable Development Fund?

To some extent, your project idea must meet all three aims of the Sustainable Development Fund. All projects must deliver:

• At least one of the DEFRA Objectives in total
• Social, Economic, and Environmental Sustainability

Projects should always aim to meet as many of the objectives as possible, in order to stand the greatest chance of being supported. 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.

Social Sustainability

To increase community awareness and understanding of the National Park.

DEFRA Objectives:

• Engages local communities and/or volunteers in planning, delivery and operation. This is a community-led approach, where those involved are fully part of every aspect of the venture.
• Involves young people. Although young people should preferably be involved throughout the project, they definitely need to be a beneficiary in order to score. Those aged under 25.
• Engages people from an urban centre with the National Park. If your project brings people into the National Park who may otherwise not have the opportunity, and they originate from an urban centre. This does include tourists.

Other Indicators of Social Sustainability:

• Improves public access of the National Park. This includes signage, footpaths, bridleways, early learning/childcare services, schools, healthcare, post offices, retail outlets, adult learning centres, recreation clubs, access to the Internet, etc.
• Protects the historic/cultural environment. This refers to legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Includes art, music festivals, historic artefacts, museums, etc.
• Provides an event for the public to understand and enjoy the National Park. An event could be a demonstration project, or a fête etc.
• Reduces the fear of crime. These projects actively engage with neighbourhood watch schemes and/or police service, and may involve the purchase of equipment to deter crime.
• Addresses health inequalities. This may involve working with health service, schools, and community groups, etc, with projects that may promote local healthy produce for local consumption, or physical exercise.
• Any other social sustainability factors. Not listed above.

Economic Sustainability

To use the special qualities of the National Park to support economic development.

DEFRA Objectives:

• Educates and raises awareness of the need for sustainable development. This is for projects that are focussed on learning, and/or contributes to the development of local career structures by providing training. Training programmes must be accredited at the conclusion.
• Brings different organisations together to tackle rural problems in the spirit of partnership. The support of more than one local organisation. This could include community-based organisations, recreational clubs, churches, businesses clusters, etc.
• Exemplar of Sustainable Development. Interpretation panels, featured in local newsletters, demonstrations, website pages, etc.

Other Indicators of Economic Sustainability:

• Results in an increased level of spend in the local economy. Anything that will use rural services during the implementation phase.
• Creates sustained local employment. This excludes contracted work, and involves any employment created as a result of the funding being invested. Sustained means mid/long-term employment.
• Involves sustainable tourism. Tourism that has a low impact on the environment and local culture, whilst helping to generate income and employment for local people. This includes membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
• Supports rural diversification. Initiatives that will improve profit and increase the value of the farm. This includes workshops, accommodation, etc.
• Any other economic sustainability factors. Not listed above.

Environmental Sustainability

To safeguard and enhance the special qualities of Northumberland National Park.

DEFRA Objectives:

• Develops models for sustainable living in the countryside that can be applied elsewhere. Descriptive systems where the principles may be replicable at other locations.
• Involves the sustainable management of land (e.g. irrigation, peat bog management, reforestation). This is irrigation, peat big management, reforestation, organic farming practices, allotments, etc.
• Adds value or new dimensions to an existing sustainability project. This existing project may or may not have been previously supported by the Sustainable Development Fund.

Other Environmental Sustainability Indicators:

• Generates and/or conserves energy in a sustainable way. Anything that is classed as renewable energy and/or is sustainable insulation, like thermafleece.
• Directly conserves and enhances biodiversity. This means that the project must have an ecological focus, for example habitat or species conservation.
• Projects the quality of the waterways in the National Park. This ensures that they remain of a good biological quality, and includes preventative measures to minimise the chances of severe damage to an area through flooding.
• Provides a new use for an existing site. A new use for an existing site is preferable to a new development on a new site.
• Uses recycling wherever feasible. Recycled products will be adopted at every opportunity.
• Any other environmental sustainability factors. Not listed above.

Governance Arrangements

The Sustainable Development Fund is governed by a Small Grants Panel and a Main Grants Panel. The Small Grants Panel makes the funding decisions from project requesting up to and including £5,000. For projects requesting more than this amount, the Main Grants Panel makes the funding decisions.

The Small Grants Panel consists of staff from Northumberland National Park Authority working in the fields of:

• Area Delivery
• Information Communications Technology Support Services
• Programmes and Specialist Services

The Small Grants Panel meet on an ad-hoc basis, and aim to make funding decisions within 28 days of receipt. Communities can apply for up to 100% of their project costs, and businesses for up to 50%. All grants must be spent within 12 months.

The Main Grants Panel consists of the following independent members:

• Peter Nicholson, Chair for 2008/2011
• Mervyn D. Anthony, Vice Chair for 2008/2011
• Anna Charlton
• Elizabeth Stockdale
• Jane Brantom
• John Goodfellow
• John Hartshorne
• Margaret Ballarini
• Tim Hibbert

The Main Grants Panel meet on a quarterly basis. Communities can apply for up to 75% of their project costs, and businesses for up to 50%. All grants must be spent within 24 months. For projects requesting over £10,000, a business plan, work schedule, risk assessment, and cash-flow forecast must also be provided. Help at writing these documents is provided in our Funding Guide. From 1st April 2009, all projects are required to adhere to equal opportunities.

The Application Pack for the Sustainable Development Fund is not available from this website. In order to be considered for a grant, in the first instance you should complete and return a Project Enquiry Form.

If you've already got your idea and you're ready to make a start, then Contact Us to find out how to apply for funding.