You can download a full copy of 2011 Guidance here, but in summary: 

The Sustainable Development Fund supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).   It will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to develop and test new methods of achieving a more sustainable way of life in this area of great beauty and diversity.

Successful projects must demonstrate that they:

- Further the purposes of AONBs ie they contribute to the conservation and enhancement of ‘natural beauty’ and deliver  actions from the Forest of Bowland AONB Management Plan which you can view at http://www.forestofbowland.com/cons_managementplan

- Are sustainable against an appropriate test of sustainable development – see the checklist in the application form

- Have the demonstrable support or involvement of communities

- Are located within, or bring significant benefit to, the AONB area and its population

Projects should also aim to support one or more of our local priorities for 2011:

- Conserve and enhance the important landscape, and cultural and built heritage of the Forest of Bowland

- Conserve and enhance the AONB's most important species and habitiats see http://www.forestofbowland.com/wild_intro

- Provide accessible opportunities for people to learn about and/or enjoy the special qualities of the Forest of Bowland. For more information on special qualities see our work on Sense of Place at http://www.forestofbowland.com/bn_sop

- Develop innovative and sustainable solutions to local issues –   eg local food growing schemes, mobile or outreach services for rural young people, opportunities for commercial recycling, community owned businesses, developing new markets for local products etc 

In 2011 we have set two deadlines for applications:

Monday 11 July

Monday 10 October

Grants panel meetings will be held on 19 July and 17 October 2011.

At each panel meeting in 2011 a fund of £20,000 will be available to be awarded as grants, and applicants will be notified of decisions immediately.

For more information or to discuss your project idea, please contact Cathy Hopley on 01200 448000 or cathy [dot] hopley [at] lancashire [dot] gov [dot] uk

You can download a full copy of 2011 Guidance here

Download the application form here