Grant fund to support sustainable lifestyles in Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Beauty

The Fund supports a new Government initiative in areas of outstanding natural beauty, to raise awareness of a sustainable lifestyle, raise the social and economic wealth of rural communities and bring together people involved in caring for the environment.

Start Date: May 2004

Duration: Ongoing

Summary:

A grant fund of up to £100,000 per annum sourced variously from emda, Lincolnshire Enterprise and Defra/Natural England to support projects attempting to live a more sustainable lifestyle in or benefiting the AONB.

The scheme supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the AONB. It aims to develop and test new methods of achieving a more sustainable way of life in this area of great beauty and diversity.

Background:

The rural nature and special characteristics of the protected landscapes present challenges in encouraging and promoting sustainable development activity. In response, the Lincolnshire Wolds SDF was set up as a pilot project in 2004-05 by LWCS and emda with the aim of promoting and enhancing the environmental, economic and community well being of the AONB. The pilot was designed to offer financial support to local groups, businesses and communities for innovative sustainable projects located in or with direct benefit to the AONB

Project results:

Over the past four years, more than £400,000 has been targeted at sustainable development projects in the Lincolnshire Wolds. At the same time, more than £800,000 has been levered in to the area in additional direct investment.

The SDF has supported businesses, community groups, charities and public sector organisations in a range of sectors. These include renewable energy and energy efficiency schemes, capacity building in the community through assistance with community facilities, nature conservation, resource efficiency, sustainable development education and sustainable transport.

Sustainable development awareness raising events have been very well received such as the Belchford Downhill Challenge Community Event illustrated in the photo above and a visit by Wolds groups to a sustiaanble Housing Project at Hockerton. 

Keywords: Sustainable Development Grant Fund, Lincolnshire Wolds AONB

Contact Details:

Judy Bell, Project Officer

Navigation Warehouse,

Riverhead Rd,

Louth,

Lincs,

LN11 8NU

Tel:01507 60974

Email:aonb@lincswolds.org.uk

Web:www.lincswolds.org.uk