Isle of Anglesey County Council

The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) provides an excellent opportunity to apply for grant funding towards innovative, sustainable, environmental projects which involve and enhance local communities in the National Landscape (AONB).

National Landscapes, formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), are nationally significant landscapes recognised for their outstanding scenic beauty.

• Community, voluntary and partnership groups.
• Town and community councils.
• Local authorities.
• The private sector (for projects which are in the wider public interest)
• Individuals (for projects which are in the wider public interest)

Projects which meet the aims of the scheme and AONBs, which are:

• to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB, including the built environment
• to promote sustainable forms of social and economic development that will help conserve and enhance the AONBs
• to promote the economic and social well-being of local communities
• to promote quiet enjoyment of the AONBs

For organisations to receive funds, they must have a formal constitution and a bank account.

Projects must not use any other Welsh Government funding as match funding.

The projects should deliver on the following purposes, to:

• explore innovative ways of contributing to the opportunities and challenges set out in the Welsh Government’s current agenda for the environment and sustainability, including, specifically, the Well-Being and Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.
• assist in tackling the biodiversity loss and climate change emergencies. To give precedence to both of these environmental emergencies, 60% of funding must be ringfenced for projects whose primary aim is to address and mitigate against biodiversity loss and climate change.
• to build capacity in local communities, and to develop and support community-based projects promoting sustainable development objectives.
• to generate greater awareness and understanding of sustainability amongst residents and visitors, and facilitate positive behaviour change through communication and promotion of the projects and fund.
• to deliver and promote the purposes of the National Landscape and the objectives as set out in the Anglesey AONB Management Plan Anglesey AONB Management Plan.

1. Complete an application from and submit it.
2. Your application form will be scored on the categories mentioned in the application by two officers from the Countryside and National Landscape team.
3. You will receive feedback from the officers.
4. If your application meets the criteria then it will be put forward to the SDF Board, who will discuss your application and whether it meets relevant criteria.
5. You will be notified whether you application is successful.
6. Your project can commence.

• The scheme will provide projects grants; management grants to support staff costs and development grants to provide a catalyst for new action or partnerships.
• Projects must be new and funding cannot support projects that have already commenced, unless the application is for a new phase or specific element.
• Funding is not intended to sustain ongoing services or projects, for example events, infrastructure and amenities.
• No single project will take up more than £25,000 from the whole fund in any year.
• Up to 75% will be available for eligible projects.
• Applicants will be expected to provide at least 25% of the total project costs, either from their own funds or those of others.