More money available for sustainable Broads projects
Another £200,000 in government grants is up for grabs to promote sustainable development in the Broads.
The Broads Authority, along with the eight other national parks in England, has been given the money by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to encourage local organisations and communities to come up with new ideas for achieving social, economic or environmental sustainability.
Since the fund was first set up in July 2002 the Broads Authority has allocated £574,000 to 64 projects, which together are worth more than £3 million.
The Authority is particularly keen to encourage projects that promote sustainable tourism, renewable energy, the sustainable management of fens and Broads, education about sustainability and social inclusion. It also wants to target young people and support community projects via a Small Grants scheme.
So far this year a total of 18 new grants have been allocated.
- Nutmeg Puppet Company, which tours the Broads each August, has received two separate grants to take puppet shows on waste recycling and renewable energy into 20 Broads schools during 2005.
- Norwich-based LSI Architects have been awarded £20,000 to develop a ‘best practice’ design guide for the Broads and organise a public seminar on sustainable design and construction in the Broads.
- The Broads Hire Boat Federation is to receive a major grant to test the suitability of 100% bio-diesel (a locally produced, recycled fuel) for the Broads hire fleet. The trial will last two years and involve 80 boats.
- The Broads Tourism Forum has been given a small grant to help them produce an additional 10,000 copies of a leaflet promoting responsible forms of tourism in the Broads.
- Another small grant will allow young people with special educational needs to go canoeing in the Broads and work towards a Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award.
- Risk & Policy Analysts of Loddon has been given money to complete research into the feasibility of a sustainable canoe/camping tourism package based on floating ‘eco-lodges’ sited in quiet areas of the Broads.
- How Hill Trust has given a grant to help fund a series of ‘Living Marshman’ courses that will introduce young people to the skills needed to manage the Broads eco-system and encourage some of them to become reedcutters, thatchers etc.
- Norfolk Environmental Education Service will receive a grant to fund Renewable Energy courses for Broadland teachers and energy efficiency training for the governors, bursars and managers of 40 Broads schools.
Money is also to be given to:
The Bike Hire Association to re-equip and promote the Broads Bike Hire Network, establish new hire centres and develop new cycle routes.
- Norfolk Broads Yachting Company to help replace the diesel auxiliary engine in the 90 year old wherry ‘White Moth’ with an electric motor.
- Lowestoft Explorer Scouts for the purchase of equipment that will allow young people with special needs to carry out project work while camping in the Broads
- Waveney River Centre for the purchase of two canoes and establishment of a new canoe hire business in the southern Broads
- The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Society to help fund a stand at the 2005 Royal Norfolk Show that will promote the sustainable use of water.
- Norfolk Wildlife Trust for the conversion of an environmental classroom at Hickling Broad and for delivery of Education for Sustainable Development ‘Citizenship’ courses to up to 1,500 Broads schoolchildren each year.
- Broadland High School, Hoveton to help fund a Sustainable Tourism project being undertaken by Year 7 students in woodland near Salhouse.
- The Broads Canoe Hire Association to re-equip and promote the Broads Canoe Hire Network, establish new hire centres and develop new guides.
The application form is simple and there are downloadable guidance notes on the Broads Authority’s website (as a Word document 44.1KB). Even better, contact the fund administrator, Nigel Dark, on 01 379 668750, who will be pleased to advise on your project’s suitability for SDF funding and send you an application pack.
09/05/2005
