Grants still available
Nearly £50, 000 is still up for grabs in the current round of the Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) for innovative projects that demonstrate new ways of living and working sustainably on Exmoor. The Fund is provided by Defra and administered by the Exmoor National Park Authority. Money is available to any individuals, groups or businesses with ideas for projects that will benefit the Exmoor National Park area.
Dan James, Sustainable Economy Officer, at Exmoor National Park Authority, said: There is a meeting of the independent SDF panel in June and we would be happy to hear from anyone who has a project that they have been working on and is ready to go. For anyone thinking of applying and is not quite that ready, this won’t be the only chance and they are welcome to get in touch with us at any time.”
Competition is likely to be high for these remaining funds and the strongest applications will need to clearly show innovation and creativity in meeting the challenges faced within Exmoor, linking long term environmental, community and environmental benefits.
Previous projects have included research and practical actions to reduce carbon emissions on Exmoor, involved young people in the active management of Exmoor’s special environment and supported fresh ways of sustaining the rural economy and communities within the National Park.
Although the majority of funding for this financial year has already been committed to a range of exciting projects we still have just under £50,000 to allocate.” said Dan James.
The deadline for full applications is the 13 June 2008 and successful projects should be announced in August 2008. Before submitting an application people should contact SDF staff at Exmoor National Park Authority and complete a simple ‘Project Ideas Form’.
For further details please contact Dan James, Sustainable Economy officer, on 01398 322234 / DTJamesexmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or visit the Sustainable Development pages on the Authority’s website www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk