Grants
The High Weald National Landscape Partnership currently runs two major grant schemes – the High Weald Nature and Community Fund (previously known as Sussex Lund) and the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme.
Both schemes support projects that preserve our beautiful landscape and meet national and local goals for climate, nature, people and place,
As well as our major grants programmes we run programmes such as the High Weald Lund Fellowship, an individual grant to help people gain knowledge and skills to benefit the High Weald, Removing Barriers to Access, a capital fund for projects to overcome accessibility challenges, and the Schools Grant Scheme.
If you aren’t sure what grant to apply for, fill in our enquiry form and we will get back to you. We are here to provide advice and support with developing projects and submitting a grant application.
If our grant schemes aren’t right for your project we can also direct you to schemes run by others that may be suitable.
Quick look: Which programme is for me?
Farming in Protected Landscapes
- Supported by: Defra
- Who: For High Weald farmers and land managers
- Where: Applications only considered for projects located within the AONB boundary
- What: Grants of up to £250,000 for projects that recover nature, tackle climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover the landscape and support sustainable farm businesses
- When: Grants awarded on a rolling basis, decided by grant panel of local farmers and advisers (applications under £10k decided by AONB team). No deadline for applications, the programme has recently been extended and will run until 2029.
Example projects – supporting farmers with infrastructure for holistic planned grazing, collaborative deer management on a landscape scale, reinstatement of lost historic hedges, farmer mentoring and events programme.
High Weald Lund Fellowship
- Supported by: Lund Trust
- Who: For individuals with a connection to the High Weald
- Where: Anyone living in or with a strong connection to the High Weald
- What: Up to £7,500 towards a range of activities, including going to conferences, attending training courses and visiting individuals and organisations doing interesting work. The idea is that you will use the knowledge and ideas you gain during the fellowship to benefit the High Weald.
- When: Applications open annually in February/March; deadline around July, with decisions made by committee in September.
Example projects – Roots of Regeneration, a series of in-depth and personal interviews with the High Weald’s growing network of regenerative farmers, exploring the lows and highs of farming with nature; Farm to Fibre, an exploration of how textiles derived from livestock, such as wool and hides, could be a viable diversification option for High Weald farmers.
Removing Barriers to Access
- Supported by: Defra
- Who: Non-profit organisations such as public bodies (local authorities and parish councils), charities and community groups. Additionally, private landowners and managers may apply if their proposed work meets the Fund’s aim.
- Where: Applications only considered for projects located within the AONB boundary
- What: Grant awards can be made for the purchase of, or investment in, a capital item or asset that results in improved accessibility to the High Weald National Landscape. The grant can fund up to 100% of project costs if the organisation is non-profit, up to 40% for commercial enterprises.
- When: Applications open any time; projects must be delivered by 31 March 2027.
Example projects – Ashdown Changing Places toilet, facilities for people with disabilities at the Ashdown Forest visitors centre at Wych Cross; improving pathways at Buchan Country Park; Gates for Stiles – working with East Sussex and Kent County Councils to provide free pedestrian gates to replace existing stiles, making walking in the countryside easier.
High Weald Nature and Community Fund
- Supported by: Lund Trust
- Who: For community groups, schools, churches, parish councils, charities, and other not-for-profit organisations. Farmers and land managers may apply if they can prove public benefit
- Where: Covers the High Weald and the hamlets, villages and towns on its fringes. Sites could include school grounds, woodlands, farmland, churchyards, local parks and recreation grounds, other green spaces
- How much: Grants of £500 to £20k for projects that create and improve wildlife habitats and enhance connections between them, engage more people with caring for green spaces and connect nature-deprived communities with the High Weald landscape
- When: Grants awarded on an annual basis with applications open in February/March, decided by grant panel in the autumn.
Example projects – pond creation, Dark Skies celebration festival, hedge planting and laying, wildflower meadow creation, habitat management for rare species including dormice, ‘grey to green’ projects that develop community green spaces in urban areas, children’s holiday camps, community growing schemes.
