Sussex Lund is a grant programme of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin. 
It supports small-scale, practical projects that improve the landscape of the High Weald AONB and the hamlets, villages and towns on its fringes. It also supports projects that help people to experience the landscape and build connections to it.

Previous successful projects include:

• Planting community orchards
• Restoring ponds and wetland areas 
• Hedge-laying to restore historic boundary lines
• Managing wildflower precious grassland; and 
• Creating new habitats for dormice and barn owls.

Projects could also include community events or initiatives that celebrate and raise awareness of the High Weald landscape and its special qualities. 

Download:  pdf Sussex Lund 2022 Criteria and Guidance (1.03 MB)

PLEASE NOTE - ENQUIRIES FOR SUSSEX LUND 2022 ARE NOW CLOSED. HOWEVER IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A PROJECT FOR NEXT YEAR, PLEASE DO SUBMIT AN ENQUIRY AND WE'LL BE IN TOUCH AS SOON AS WE ARE ABLE.

Submit an enquiry for 2023

Are you a farmer or a landowner? We have another grant programme just for you...
We are now running the new Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, which gives grants of up to £250,000 for projects in England’s AONBs and National Parks. 

We recommend you submit an enquiry to find out how this funding could support your project – visit the page and get started. 

What projects does Sussex Lund support?
Sussex Lund will consider supporting any project that makes tangible improvements to the High Weald’s landscape. For example, projects that:

• Improve its habitats, such as creating ponds and wetland, removing non-native species (for example rhododendron and leylandii), planting new hedges and restoring old ones, planting trees, coppicing woodland, planting orchards, developing more species-rich grassland, putting up bird, bug and bat boxes or creating more wildlife-friendly allotments and greenspace.
• Improve its scenic beauty, such as planting street trees, reducing sign and light pollution, removing or screening eyesores, replacing ‘hard’, man-made boundaries with soft, natural boundaries, clearing litter.

New for 2022
Sussex Lund will now also support projects that improve people’s experience of the High Weald and nature where they live so that residents and visitors:

• Develop long lasting connections to the landscape
• Have a better knowledge and understanding of the landscape and nature; and
• Take action to improve and celebrate the landscape and to share its benefits and special qualities. 

Particular weight will be given to projects that support young people, new residents in the area, visitors and those living in poverty – including ‘nature poverty’.    

What area does the programme cover?
The programme is focused on the High Weald AONB (which covers parts of West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, and Surrey) and the hamlets, villages and towns on its fringes. Project locations could include churchyards, school grounds, recreation areas and roadside verges. View a map of the High Weald AONB boundary..

Who do we support?
Sussex Lund is open to community groups, schools, churches, parish councils, charities, and other not-for-profit organisations. If you’re a private landowner or a for-profit organisation you will need to demonstrate that the landscape and public benefit is greater than any private gain. 

Sussex Lund will consider applications from past applicants for new projects, but not for the continuation and maintenance of previously funded projects. 

This year Sussex Lund is working in partnership with national charity, Plantlife, to offer free advice and support to applicants seeking funds for wildflower meadow restoration and creation projects. Plantlife can produce a management plan and help with project implementation if your grant application is successful. 

Sussex Lund is a collaboration between the High Weald AONB Partnership and Lund Trust a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.

How much can I apply for?
One-off grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available. Ideally you will spend the grant within a year of accepting your grant offer but projects that take longer will be considered.

Sussex Lund may award larger grants for collaborative projects involving two or more organisations (eg, community groups, charities, parish councils). 

Do I need match funding?
There is no requirement for match funding, however, the Grants Panel decision will take into account your own or others’ commitment to the project in the form of cash, in-kind support or time.

When can I apply?
Sussex Lund is now closed for new applications. The Sussex Lund Grants Panel meets to consider applications in October and we will tell you the Panel’s decision by the end of October 2022.  

How do I apply?
It is essential that all potential applicants contact the High Weald team for informal advice about the suitability of your project and how to submit a strong application that meets the Sussex Lund criteria. If you think you may have a project for 2023 please complete our enquiry form to register your interest. We will send out application forms to all potential applicants once the scheme opens again next year.

pdf READ ONLY Sussex Lund 2022 Application Form (693 KB)

pdf Sussex Lund Application Form 2020 Example of completed table (53 KB)

Looking for project inspiration?
Watch our videos to hear about the work of successful grant applicants: 

Or use the interactive map below to view details of projects funded by Sussex Lund from 2017-2020; each pin provides a pop-up with more information about the project (for best results, hover over the 'view larger map' button in the top right-hand corner and click).

Or you can view the annual grant summaries:
pdf Sussex Lund Grant Summary - 2021 (170 KB)
pdf Sussex Lund Grant Summary - 2020 (153 KB)
pdf Sussex Lund Grant Summary - 2019 (149 KB)
pdf Sussex Lund Grant Summary - 2018 (254 KB)
pdf Sussex Lund Grant Summary - 2017 (241 KB)

You can also read the Sussex Lund Newsletter 2019 and Sussex Lund Newsletter 2018.