Grants & Funding

Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) - Dark Night Skies

The Sustainable Development Fund provides grant funding for projects that will help make the dark skies of our International Dark Sky Reserve, even darker! The fund supports businesses, farms or individuals within the AONB who could have a significant impact on our dark skies by changing their lighting.

Each year, the exact amounts of the awards differ depending on available budget.
Find out more on the Cranborne Chase AONB Website

Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme

This DEFRA-funded programme will be open for applications from Summer 2021. Through the programme, farmers and land managers can be supported to carry out projects that support nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand landscape and cultural heritage, or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.

The Cranborne Chase AONB team will be awarding in the region of £360,000 worth of funding for one-off projects for applications between now and the end of January 2022, with more funding available each year to March 2024. More information about the programme and how to apply is available on the main Cranborne Chase AONB Website.

Communities Caring for Heritage grants programme

The Communities Caring for Heritage Grants Programme supports activities at a community level that complement those which form part of the wider Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme. This programme aims to enable communities to conserve and enhance the wonderful cultural and natural landscape of their area, help more people to learn about and enjoy their fantastic heritage and to help tell the story of the people and landscape from a community perspective. Grants are from £500 to £5000.
Find out more on the Cranborne Chase AONB Website