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Guidelines for the Wye Valley AONB Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) First steps These guidelines are to help you with your application for grant aid to the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) for the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Please read them in conjunction with the ‘Notes to assist applications.’ The application form is available in paper or electronic format. Before filling in the application form you are strongly advised to discuss your ideas with AONB staff to ensure that you and your project are eligible for funding. Details of how to get in touch with the Wye Valley AONB Unit are at the end of these guidelines, on the application form and available on www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk. What is the Sustainable Development Fund? The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) provides an exceptional opportunity to apply for grant aid for innovative, sustainable projects, which involve local communities in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). AONBs are nationally important landscapes, designated for their spectacular scenic beauty. The SDF for the Wye Valley AONB is delivered by the AONB Unit located in Monmouth. In Wales the SDF has been set up by the Welsh Government and co-ordinated by the Countryside Council for Wales whereas in England it is managed on behalf of Defra. What is the purpose of the Fund? The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) aims, through partnership, to develop and test ways of achieving a more sustainable way of living in a landscape of great natural beauty and diversity. The Fund is primarily for practical, innovative schemes that engage local communities. The Sustainable Development Fund seeks to conserve and enhance the local characteristics of wildlife, landscape, land use and community. Sustaining the social wellbeing and economic viability of communities are also important aims of SDF. The projects that will be supported are those which meet the statutory purpose of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), which is: To conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. ‘Natural beauty’ is defined in legislation as including flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features (s.92(2) of the CROW Act 2000) and cultural heritage (s.59(1)) of NERC Act 2006) which can make an appreciable contribution to an area‘s sense of place SDF/Guidelines July 2012 Page 1 and thereby heighten the perception of natural beauty. Land is not prevented from being treated as of natural beauty by the fact that it is used for agriculture, or woodlands, or as a park, or that its physiographical features are partly the product of human intervention in the landscape (s.99 of NERC Act). Objectives of the SDF To explore ways of simultaneously pursuing the principles of sustainability whilst overcoming any obstacles to sustainability. To develop models for the sustainable management of the countryside that could be applied more widely in England and Wales. To generate greater awareness and understanding of sustainability To integrate sustainable development with the Special Qualities of the AONB (as identified in the AONB Management Plan), and demonstrate the contribution of a strong sense of place and local identity to sustainable living. To build capacity in local communities and to develop and support communitybased projects promoting sustainable development objectives. What is sustainability? Sustainability is about balancing environmental, social and economic requirements, so that our present needs can be met without compromising the ability of future generations to adequately meet their own needs. The principles of sustainability can be expressed in various ways, including social progress that recognises the needs of everyone; effective protection of the environment; prudent use of natural resources, whilst maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth and employment. How much money is available? Up to £90,000 will be available in the financial year 2012/13 and £85,000 in 2013/14. in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The financial year starts on 1 st April but applications can be received in the January for funds for the following financial year. Applications can be for small grants of less than £1,000 or larger grants of up to £25,000. If a project is for a period of more than one year an application can cover two or more financial years. However, projects in any one year must submit a claim for their grant by 11 th February. Who can apply for funding? The scheme is available to any organisation including community or voluntary groups, local authorities, as well as the private sector and individuals. The private sector and individuals must demonstrate that their projects have a wider public benefit. The proposed project must meet the purpose of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the objectives of the scheme and be located in or have direct benefit to the Wye Valley AONB. Your project must comply with any relevant regulatory requirements e.g. planning permission, building regulations etc. Priority will be given to projects which: Demonstrate innovation or best practice. Involve local communities and young people and/or encourage social inclusion. SDF/Guidelines July 2012 Page 2 Lever in contributions from other sources in cash or in kind or conversely have overriding merit in terms of sustainability but do not have access to alternative funding Overcome barriers to sustainability and promote a wider understanding of sustainability. Promote sustainable forms of social and economic development or add value to existing sustainability projects. For example: Secure a sustainable future for locally important services. Support community based sustainable transport initiatives designed to reduce the carbon footprint. Support sustainable food marketing and the promotion and consumption of local produce Support sustainable visitor transport initiative, including access to visitor hot spots. Support communities to reduce their carbon footprint Promote the sustainable use of water resources, through the support of projects designed to promote access to water. Raise awareness of AONBs and generate jobs or income for local communities, without damaging the landscape. Examples of projects, which may be funded by SDF: Schools projects – such as the management of grounds for wildlife; energy, waste, and traffic reduction initiatives Incorporation of locally sourced materials renewable energy, or energy efficiency components, and or the use of traditional building skills into the design of public or communal buildings Transport projects to reduce car use and improve health by increased activity Enhancement of village open spaces for local use (e.g. community activities) and wildlife and/or restoration of historic features e.g. village pond, community orchard or traditional boundaries Community projects which conserve the elements of culture and social well-being e.g. film club, local heritage exhibitions Training programmes to safeguard traditional skills through modern apprenticeship, skills exchange e.g. hedge laying, stone walling, conservation management Feasibility research and/or the development of innovative products and initiatives such as renewable/green energy schemes. Grants and grant rates: The scheme can offer: Project grants; Management grants to support staff however, there should be a presumption to funding outcomes rather than supporting core organisational costs; Development grants to provide a catalyst for new action or partnerships The scheme will normally provide 50% of the total project costs but possibly more in some exceptional circumstances. However, any partnership involving local authorities will only be funded at a maximum of 50%. SDF/Guidelines July 2012 Page 3 These figures include an element of up to 10% for appropriate overheads. Applicants will be expected to provide at least 25% of the total project costs, either from their own funds or those of others e.g.: * Private sector funds; * ‘In kind’ contributions such as officer time or loan of equipment; * Other grant funds; * European Funds like Objective 1 or RDP; * Lottery Funding. The source of any match funding should be clearly identified to avoid the possibility of double funding. Volunteer time is costed £50 per day or £6:25 per hour for unskilled volunteers. Skilled volunteers are costed £100 per day or £12:50 per hour. Specialist, technical or professional volunteers are costed £300 per day or £37:50 per hour. Two paper copies and an electronic copy of any reports, feasibility studies, leaflets and publications to be given to the Wye Valley AONB Unit where these are funded. These costs can be budgeted for in an application. Payments will normally be paid in the following ratio: 50% on confirmation of acceptance (appropriate to each financial year) A further stage payment of 25% at the discretion of the AONB Community Links Officer and The remainder on completion of project (appropriate to each financial year). How are projects assessed? Applications will be assessed by the SDF Assessment Panel; a panel of local people made up of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors nominated by the Wye Valley AONB Joint Advisory Committee. The Assessment Panel will assess the project based on whether it meets the aims, objectives and priorities of SDF, which are set out in these guidelines, and that it meets all the core criteria and how well it meets the environmental, community, economic and cultural criteria described in detail in the ‘Notes to assist applicants’ and for you to answer Questions 8 and 9. . How and when to apply You are advised to discuss your ideas with the Wye Valley AONB staff before applying. Then fill in the application form, using the notes provided. Attach any supporting information, which will help the Assessment Panel when they consider your application. The Community Links Officer will let you know if the information you provide is suitable and if you need to supplement it. Once you are satisfied that you have provided all the relevant information please send your application to the address provided at the end of these guidelines. The Assessment Panel particularly welcome relevant photographs of project sites, and would expect further photographs to be taken during and after the project by successful applicants. SDF/Guidelines July 2012 Page 4 There are no set dates for submission of applications. The Community Links Officer will inform you of the next Assessment Panel meeting, and when to submit your application. As the financial year progresses the money available for projects will decrease as allocations are made, therefore early application is advisable. If you are proposing a new project then you should not commence work until you have received a decision from the Assessment Panel as to whether your application has been successful. Contact details: Sarah Sawyer AONB Community Links Officer Wye Valley AONB Hadnock Road Monmouth NP25 3NG Tel: 01600 710844 E-mail:[email protected] SDF/Guidelines July 2012 Page 5 The Wye Valley AONB SDF/Guidelines July 2012 Page 6