Sustainable Development Fund is Open for New Projects - Over £1.4 million boost for local economy to date
The North Wessex Downs Sustainable Development Fund (SDF), now in its seventh successful year, has thus far helped to inject £1.4 million into the local economy. And we are looking now for new projects to fund.
The SDF scheme is funded by Defra and was launched in 2005. Our aim is to develop and test innovative methods of achieving sustainability and to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation of the unique qualities and sensitivities of the North Wessex Downs.
The fund has supported a wide variety of schemes by providing grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals, all wishing to explore and develop practical projects that conserve and enhance the local environment, develop local economic activity or promote local produce and products.
There is a streamlined assessment process for grants below £1,000, while the average grant awarded is currently between £1,000 and £5,000. Larger grants may be considered in the case of exceptional projects. The SDF grant will normally be not more than 75% of total project expenditure.
If you have an idea for a project, please visit the Sustainable Development Fund pages on the North Wessex Downs website.
Families Matter is a funding and support programme run by Warburtons (the bread people), which aims to ensure that they support the local communities they serve. One of the key elements of Families Matter is a financial giving programme, which offers a range of grant and project support: They have publicised the following guidance for interested groups...
Grants: £0 - £250, available nationwide. Community grants are for small sums of money, that can be used for something specific that will benefit the cause you support. e.g. Buying equipment, supporting a community day etc.
Projects: £251 - £20,000, available within 15 miles of Warburtons sites Funding for community projects is for a clear, identifiable project that can be attributed to our support. You will be able to identify and report on the impact, in an in-depth manner.
For more information, including how to apply and a list of Warburtons sites, please click here.
The final round for the National Lottery funding to improve community sports fields in England is now open. They are one of the most important resources for sport in England, but many are waterlogged or in a state of disrepair. There are five funding rounds of £3 million each. The first four rounds have benefited 235 projects who have been able to either create new natural turf pitches or improve existing ones that needed leveling or drainage works. The maximum grant available is £50,000. The latest round opened in June and closes on 5 August 2013.
Find out more at Sport England
Capital grants between £100,000 and £500,000 are available to organisations ready to take the next step in acquiring a local asset.
Organisations with innovative and ambitious plans for community asset ownership will be able to apply for these grants till 30 August 2013 which will help with its purchase. Applications will need to meet at least one of the following themes:
• Community Assets – Under the Hammer: to facilitate competitive bidding for land and
buildings to make use of the Right to Bid.
• Equity matching Scheme: to match - fund monies solicited direct from communities or via
community share issues supported by the Community Shares Unit.
• Exercise Your Rights : to facilitate the use of two (or more) of the various legal mechanisms
in tandem.
• How Green is Your Asset: Green refurbishment grants to improve the viability of land or
buildings acquired by communities through Asset Transfer and/or the Right to Bid.
Organisations interested in the Community Assets and Services Grant products are advised to
contact the Community Rights Advice Service at mycommunityrights.org.uk or call 0845 345 4564 to assess their suitability for the Fund. Information on criteria for funding is available at
sibgroup.org.uk/communityrights
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Cory Environmental Trust in Britain is celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering
one local community project the chance to secure a £100,000 grant. The
Trust was set up to distribute cash raised from landfill tax to
environmental or community organisations within ten miles of Cory
Environmental Limited's landfill sites. Three deserving projects which
reach a wide number of people will be shortlisted to present their
proposals to the Trust in September, when the winning bid will be
announced. Deadline 19 July.
BBC Children in Need provides grants
to support work with children and young people experiencing
disadvantage through illness, distress, abuse or neglect any kind of
disability behavioural or psychological difficulties living in poverty
or situations of deprivation. Next deadline 1st September 2013.
The RCEF is specifically targeted at helping rural communities access the money needed to carry out feasibility studies into renewable energy projects, and fund the costs associated with applying for planning permission.
It is intended that projects will then be able to attract private finance to pay for renewable energy kit and get projects up and running. Funding can be used to support rural projects across the renewable and low carbon energy spectrum including wind, solar, biomass, heat pumps, anaerobic digestion, gas Combined Heat and Power and hydro.
Find out more at GOV.UK
