The East Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) aims to help and encourage local projects, big and small, that will explore and develop ideas that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to our AONB communities.

With a total contribution value in excess of £2,620,000, the fund has enabled a wide range of projects including wildlife initiatives, school projects, restoring village features and supporting local festivals.

This financial year, we are thrilled to have secured a further £20,000 for new grants, and applications are NOW OPEN to local initiatives looking to make a positive social, economic and/or environmental impact.

If you have a project in mind that could benefit from our support, visit our Grants & Funding page to find out more.

Funding a festival

Last year the Woodbury Wide Awake project received an SDF grant for their community festival. Between April and November 2019 a wide range of events were organised including public talks, creative workshops, guided nature walks, free family friendly events took place engaging a significant number of residents, visitors and organisations.

An impressive documentary (see below) was also produced as part of the community project, celebrating the life of botanist and illustrator Rev. William Keble Martin, and exploring the ways in which the landscape has changed in the 50 years since he lived in Woodbury.