Sustainable Development Fund evaluation report

An independent review of seven years of operation of the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) in England's National Parks has shown just how successful it has been. The SDF is a grant scheme encourages individuals and communities to find sustainable ways of living and working, whilst enhancing and conserving the local culture, wildlife and landscape.

The review, conducted by Land Use Consultants for ENPAA found that the SDF:

Draws down high levels of other funding. The £9.9 million invested in the Sustainable Development Fund has attracted £42.5 million in funding from other sources
Creates jobs. Over 16% of the projects that were funded created jobs, and over half of those projects received less that £1,000 per job created
Reaches where other schemes do not. The SDF goves priority to innovative ideas, supporting initiatives that would otherwise fall between the gaps of other funding schemes
Meets needs identified by communities and businesses
Provides practical examples of sustainable development in action

Narendra Bajaria CBE, ENPAA Chair, said:

"The Fund is contributing to the transformation to a low carbon society and sustainable living in our National Parks. National Park Authorities look forward to working individually and collectively to take up the challenges and opportunities identified in the report with the aim of making the Sustainable Development Fund even more successful in future."

You can download copies of the PDF report here:

SDF Evaluation Summary
SDF Evaluation Full Report

A response from the English National Park Authorities to the conclusions and recommendations of the independent evaluation has been prepared by the Sustainable Development Fund Officers and ENPAA staff. National Park staff will take the recommendations and use them in their work to improve delivery of the SDF over the next three years. An action plan is in development.

ENPAA Response to SDF Evaluation