⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–30 Management Plan landing page.
Use the Sustainable Development Fund and other funding sources, to support 20 new local projects each year that bring economic, social and environmental benefits to the National Park.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: Just over £116,000 was awarded in SDF grants to 19 local projects in 2024/25. This brings the total number of projects supported over the last 6 years to 137 (average = 23 per year). Projects covered a variety of themes including new visitor facilities & events, restoring historic buildings & sites, revealing & celebrating local heritage, enhancing community facilities, conserving wildlife & dark skies and providing opportunities for younger people to understand and enjoy the National Park.
Press releases & related articles:
16 July 2024 – Fund tweaked to support young people
24 July 2023 – Fund supports clean power in Kingsdale
4 April 2023 – Village hydro plant produces first gigawatt
7 March 2023 – Villagers to turn ‘pews into bunk beds’
11 April 2022 – Hyperfast broadband ‘game changer’ for remote dale
8 June 2021 – Grants available – apply now!
27 October 2020 – ‘Kickstart’ funding for tourism sector
Rationale: The National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) supports small-scale business and community projects that promote a more sustainable way of living in, working in and visiting the National Park.
Lead partner: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority;
Supporting partners: North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council; Lancashire County Council; Parish Councils;
Further information: Sustainable Development Fund
Cost over 5 years: £900,000
Funding shortfall: None
Related objectives: A2; A5; A6; A7; A9; B4; B5; B6; B7; B9; D7; D8; E1; E2; E5; E6; E7; E9; F2; F3; F7
Ecosystem services: A sense of place and inspiration; A sense of history; Recreation; Biodiversity; Geodiversity; Energy; Climate regulation
Trade-offs: None.
Baseline: 36 projects were supported in 2017-18.