Sustainable Development Fund (SDF. The SDF was established as a Ministerial initiative and has political support. Defra believes the previous success of SDF will ensure its continuation in a meaningful way without the need to impose minimum levels of spending, which would go against the ethos of an interdependent and trusting relationship with AONB Partnerships. Individual SDF initiatives will be identified as part of an AONB’s programme of work. SDF will remain as a visible funding stream in the AONB family and should continue to be recorded and good practice registered to inform Defra and key partners. There are opportunities to use SDF to add value by encouraging greater uptake of innovative, often community-based, projects. The SDF programme has associated guidance prepared by Natural England which steers the kinds of projects to be developed. This guidance was revised in 2009 to place greater emphasis on encouraging innovation and risk-taking, as well as meeting AONB Management Plan objectives. These risk and innovation elements help clarify the distinction between SDF and other funding streams. Innovative SDF projects should be assessed from local, regional and national perspectives. Where LEADER or similar types of funding are available, the potential for match funding with SDF should be examined. LEADER and SDF programmes should be mutually supportive. Operation of the Single Pot Defra will inform AONB Partnerships of their indicative individual annual grant. Partnerships will then propose in their application form (and associated Business Plans / Management Plan delivery) how they wish to allocate the funds between the three broad strands of core, project and SDF funding programme. Subject to agreement, Defra will then provide its funding through a contribution letter.
Sustainable Development Fund (SDF. The SDF was established as a Ministerial initiative and has political support. Natural England believes the previous success of SDF will ensure its continuation in a meaningful way without the need to impose minimum levels of spending, which would go against the ethos of an interdependent and trusting relationship with AONB partnerships. Individual SDF initiatives will be identified as part of an AONB’s programme of work. SDF will remain as a visible funding stream in the AONB family and should continue to be recorded and good practice registered to inform Defra and key partners. Natural England will closely monitor the balance of funding for the next two years and report back to Defra annually. There are opportunities to use SDF to add value by encouraging greater uptake of innovative, often community-based, projects. The SDF programme has associated guidance which steers the kinds of projects to be developed. This guidance will be reviewed for 09/10, to place greater emphasis on encouraging innovation and risk-taking, as well as meeting AONB Management Plan objectives. This risk and innovation elements help clarify the distinction between SDF and other funding streams. Innovative SDF projects should be assessed from local, regional and national perspectives. Where LEADER funding is available, the potential for match funding with SDF should be examined. LEADER and SDF programmes should be mutually supportive. Operation of the Single Pot Natural England will inform AONB Partnerships and Conservation Boards of their annual individual settlement. AONB Partnerships and Conservation Boards will then propose how they wish allocate funds, by application form (and associated Business Plans / Management Plan delivery) between the three broad but nominal strands of core, project and SDF funding programme. Subject to agreement, Natural England will then provide its funding as a single amount through a contribution letter. Mid year changes in the budget and programme are to be expected. Providing these are approved by the Partnerships and Conservation Boards, or are insignificant, there is no need for additional formal approval, in year, by Natural England.
