Funding for Broads conservation projects up for grabs

The Broads Authority will be offering grants for sustainable conservation, educational and tourism projects from April despite significant cuts to its government funding. Since 2002 Defra has given the Broads Authority a £200,000 a year Sustainable Development Fund to award to local innovative or best practice projects which meet certain criteria. During that time the Broads Authority has awarded grants worth £1,647,000 to 195 projects, which have attracted £5,523,700 in match funding. From April the money will no longer be ring fenced by Defra for spending on such projects but the Authority has still committed £150,000 to the Sustainable Development Fund, which includes administrative costs, for the coming financial year. John Ash, SDF Administrator, said: “The Fund has been a huge success in getting many innovative projects off the ground. It has funded renewable energy projects and it has encouraged local organisations and communities to come up with new ideas for achieving social, economic or environmental sustainability.”
In the future the Authority is particularly keen to encourage conservation projects linked to education and projects involving young people. It will only fund renewable energy projects if they are ground-breaking.

A panel meets four times a year to award funds. The deadline is 18 March for the next panel meeting on 12 April.

If you would like to apply for funding first contact John Ash on 01508 550116 or email: sdf@broads-authority.gov.uk for advice on the eligibility of your project. More information on the Sustainable Development Fund and an application form can be found on http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/.