GrantRadar

North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust

The North Wessex Downs Sustainable Development Fund

The Sustainable Development Fund gives grants of £150 to £3,000 (most around £1,000) for projects that bring environmental, social and economic benefits to the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. It is managed by the North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust on behalf of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Partnership. Applications are taken at any time, starting with an online expression of interest, and grants normally cover no more than 75% of project costs, so match funding (including in-kind and volunteer time) is expected.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£150 – £3,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Community and voluntary groups and groups working in partnership (including partnership projects supported or led by the Landscape Trust or the National Landscape Partnership), the private sector, local authorities and public bodies, charities and not-for-profit organisations, businesses, and schools and other educational organisations
  • Applications from individuals are not ruled out, but there must be wider public benefit and most applications are expected from organisations, groups or partnerships
  • Applicants do not have to live or work in the North Wessex Downs, but the project must be located in the National Landscape or clearly benefit the landscape, people living or working in or close to it, or its visitors
  • The grantee must be a legal body able to meet the project's debts and liabilities and the conditions attached to public money
  • Organisations that have received SDF funding within the past year were generally not considered under the 2022 guidelines

What it funds

  • Projects that have a positive impact on the North Wessex Downs National Landscape by demonstrating best practice or imaginative ideas for sustainability, and that contribute to one or more objectives of the Partnership's statutory Management Plan
  • Eligible costs include:
  • Project materials, equipment and delivery
  • Project management
  • Events and activities to raise awareness and understanding of the landscape
  • Establishing new groups to conserve and enhance the landscape (especially community-focused groups offering volunteering)
  • Labour and contractors' costs
  • Publicity and marketing of projects
  • Proposals score better if they:
  • Bring people together to tackle problems
  • Conserve and enhance natural beauty (geology, soils, water quality, wildlife, heritage, dark skies, tranquillity)
  • Show innovation
  • Raise awareness of the area
  • Help residents and visitors enjoy the natural environment in ways that improve physical and mental health with equal access for all
  • Promote sustainable use of the environment and action on climate change

Grants are normally no more than 75% of the total project budget (50% for local authority or public body led projects).

Work should normally be completed and the grant claimed within twelve months of starting.

What it will not fund

  • Purchase of land or buildings
  • Schemes which solely deliver a commercial benefit to the organisations or individuals running the project

How to apply

  1. Read the SDF Guidelines and the Application Help Notes
  2. Submit an Expression of Interest using the online form on the Grants page of the Landscape Trust website (nwdlt.org.uk/grants), giving the project location and roughly how much funding you need
  3. If the Expression of Interest is approved, complete and submit the full application form with supporting documents (a project workplan and detailed budget if requesting £1,000 or more)
  4. The Trust may ask for more information before treating the application as complete, then decides on the grant
  5. If awarded, sign the Grant Acceptance Form and agreement before the grant is paid (possibly in instalments)
  6. Complete the project, normally within twelve months, and submit a project report with evidence of publicity and outputs within eight weeks of completion

Printed copies of the expression of interest and application forms are available on request for postal applications.

Advice on eligibility from the Landscape Trust at hello@nwdlt.org.uk.

Have ready

  • A copy of your constitution, or evidence of your legal status
  • Evidence of consultation with local people and/or letters of support from stated partners
  • Site photos, maps, plans or designs, if applicable
  • Details of any relevant permissions, e.g. planning consents or written permission where the project involves common land
  • Quotes: at least one for items under £500, two for items costing £501 to £3,000
  • Evidence of match funding and volunteer support

A project plan and budget with timescale and milestones is required only if the request is for £1,000 or more.

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