Sutainable Development Fund
Established in 2001, the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) supports innovative, sustainable projects in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The fund supports projects that work to enhance and conserve natural beauty, wildlife, culture, landscape, land use and community within the context of the goals and sustainable development principles in the Well-being of Future Generations Act, and the priorities set out in Valued and Resilient: the Welsh Government’s Priorities for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks.
Do you have a project worthy of support? Does your project;
- Explore innovative ways of contributing to the opportunities and challenges set out in Valued and Resilient.
- Build capacity in local communities, and develop and support community-based projects promoting sustainable development objectives.
- Generate greater awareness and understanding of sustainability amongst residents and visitors, and facilitate positive behaviour change.
- Deliver and promote the purposes of the AONB and the objectives as set out in the AONB Management Plan.
If so, we would like to hear from you.
Eligibility
Local Authorities, voluntary, community, and partnership groups are eligible to apply for funds as long as the proposed project meets the scheme’s priorities. Projects should be located within or should directly benefit the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB.
Private businesses or individuals may also apply on the same basis provided they are able to demonstrate a clear benefit to the wider community and AONB.
Sudd
SDF was used to support the setup costs of an innovative community apple juice project aimed at utilising unused apples sourced from the AONB and Vale of Clwyd. Sudd Afal Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol (community interest company) was set up with Companies House and registered as a food distribution company with Denbighshire CC. An open meeting was held in the Gold Lion, Llangynhafal in June 2019 to launch the project and gauge local interest. Posters were distributed to local shops/pubs and community noticeboards asking for any unwanted apples. Social media was also used to publicise the project and source unwanted apples.
Graigfechan Eco-Connectivity Project
SDF support was used to increase community involvement in management of the local natural environment primarily around Graigfechan in the western part of the AONB. The aim was to help drive forward the longer-term goals of improving eco-connectivity and habitat permeability between 3 nature reserves. Two community groups – Grŵp Gwyllt and Llanfair Fyw – were involved in managing the local Reserves and sites of biodiversity interest during 2019. Regular volunteer events helped deliver important conservation action, including construction of an otter holt on the Dwr Ial, invasive plant removal at Pant Ruth, and planting wild daffodils in Pwllglas. A particularly beneficial outcome for the scheme was a negotiated extension to the Graig Wyllt Nature Reserve to include the special features of mature woodland and limestone grassland. The extension to the Reserve helps secure enhanced protection for significant biodiversity interest within the AONB.
Taste North East Wales
Blasu/Taste was a 3-year collaboration project testing new approaches to developing the economic value of the food and drink sector. In particular, the project developed collaboration between food producers, the hospitality trade and consumers through shortening the supply chain, it explored new ways to promote local food by allowing customers into producer’s kitchens and online hosting of events, as well as providing capacity building for producers/hospitality through focused workshops and training.
Ysgol y Foel Decarbonisation Project
Through decarbonisation Ysgol y Foel embraced the opportunities of the green economy, reducing its running cost and generating new funding lines through energy generation, thus enhancing its long term economic viability, a common challenge across primary schools within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.
For more information about the fund please contact Ceri Lloyd ceri.lloyd@denbighshire.gov.uk.
Please note funding is limited and applications will be assessed by an independent panel.
