Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

A Shared Responsibility for a Very Special Place

If you would like more information or want to talk through a project idea please contact the AONB office, tel: 016973 33055 or email Brian Irving.

The Sustainable Development Fund grant scheme supports projects that will look after the AONB now and for the future

What is the Sustainable Development Fund?

The Sustainable Development Fund is a new grant scheme. It supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It aims to develop and test new methods of achieving a more sustainable way of life in this area of great beauty and diversity.

The fund will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects and enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development will promote and enhance the environmental, economic and community well-being of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.

Achieving sustainable development requires working towards the four main goals at the same time:

Social progress which meets the needs of everyone
Effective protection of the environment
Ensuring a diverse and prosperous rural economy
Careful use of natural resources

Individual projects can place particular emphasis on any one of the four goals. Ideally they should seek to make progress on all of them but must demonstrate no negative impact on any.

Download the Sustainable Development Fund Application Form (pdf) here.