AONB Sustainable Development Funds provide grants for innovative projects that conserve and enhance the landscape and contribute to sustainable development in protected areas. The money comes from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), a government body responsible for the natural environment, to all 50 AONBs in England and Wales.
The Fund began in 2005 in realisation of the role that protected landscapes can play in encouraging sustainable development.
Each AONB has its own grants panel which administers the fund.In the High Weald the SDF award is administered by the High Weald AONB Unit on behalf of the High Weald AONB Joint Advisory Committee (JAC ) a partnership of 15 local authorities, 4 county and 11 district councils, and Natural England.
Between 2007/08 and 2008/09 the High Weald SDF provided grants totalling over £170,000 to 57 organisations and individuals in the High Weald. These projects have in turn delivered over £3/4 million of benefits to the High Weald landscape.
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