You can download a full copy of 2013 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 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 our first priority plus one or more of our other local priorities for 2013:

1. 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 

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

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

4. 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 www.forestofbowland.com/bn_sop

Download a copy of the application form here