Up to £70,000 of grant funding is now open for applications across two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Essex and Suffolk. Closing 17th May 2021.

The Sustainable Development Fund opens to applications for projects that benefit the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Sustainable Development Fund is available to a variety of community and conservation organisations (or individuals) to support projects for the conservation and enhancement of the Coast & Heaths AONB and the Dedham Vale AONB.

The AONB is seeking applications from local community projects that are innovative, socially inclusive, sustainable, that benefit the public and involve partnership working.

Whether you have a project that works in the arts, media, conservation, learning, heritage, food, health, accessibility, and diversity, to give you but a few examples, we welcome your applications.

There is no limit to the amount of funding projects can apply for. In 2020-21 the Sustainable Development Fund awarded in the region of £500 to £4,700 per project. In 2020-21 the Sustainable Development Fund supported 43 projects across the AONBs. Previous projects that have been funded by the Sustainable Development Fund include climate change awareness courses, art workshops for tackling men's mental health, training for canoe trips, and improving access to nature for people on the autistic spectrum.

The following grant is now open for applications:

Sustainable Development Fund - For projects in a defined geographical area covering both AONBs. Applications to be received by 17th May 2021 for projects running between July 2021 and end of March 2022.

Coast & Heaths AONB Sustainable Development Fund

Dedham Vale AONB Sustainable Development Fund

Applicants need not necessarily come from, or be based in, the AONB. However, projects must further the conservation and enhancement of the AONB.

The Sustainable Development Fund is a fund provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to enable local communities and other organisations to make a difference in AONBs by promoting and achieving sustainable development, partnership, and social inclusion.

These projects focus on integrating the environment, local communities, and the economy so that the unique landscape of the AONB is conserved and its natural beauty enhanced, making it more enjoyable for all.

The closing date for applications to be received for the Sustainable Development Fund is Monday 17th May 2021. For more information, visit suffolkcoastandheaths.org or dedhamvalestourvalley.org or contact Oka Last, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Grants Officer, on 01394 445225 or [email protected].

* Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are some of the UK's most outstanding landscapes. There are 38 AONBs in England and Wales, and a further eight in Northern Ireland.

* The Coast and Heaths and Dedham Vale AONBs are two protected landscapes and make up part of the 46 strong family of AONBs nationwide

* Both AONBs celebrated their 50th anniversary last year

* Contact: Oka Last, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Grants Officer, 01394 445225

[email protected]