North Norfolk Sustainable Communities Fund Details

Learn more about the grant, what funding is available and how to apply

The North Norfolk Sustainable Communities Grant Fund is closed to applications until further notice.

In April 2019, North Norfolk District Council declared a Climate Emergency across the District. To reflect and support the Council’s priorities regarding climate change and the environment, The North Norfolk Sustainable Communities Fund has been established.

The aim of this fund, which has environmental and community sustainability at its heart, is to help build strong and sustainable communities and ensure the long term future and wellbeing of our communities here in North Norfolk.

The fund will help communities to develop new and innovative projects which will improve their environment as well as their health and social wellbeing.

By sustainable communities we mean:

Places in which people want to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a good and sustainable quality of life.

Funding available and decision process

The fund will assist communities in meeting their needs, with funding now available for both capital and revenue projects that meet the fund’s criteria.

The grants are administered by North Norfolk District Council. There is a Grants Panel, a politically balanced group made up of 7 elected members, that meet four times a year to award grants of between £1,000 and £15,000.

Grants under £1,000

For grants of under £1,000, a monthly decision panel now meets. This allows us to quickly turn around these smaller grants. They also have a shorter, simpler application form, but the sustainable communities criteria will remain the same. The outcome of grant applications are decided by the panel and reported to the NNDC Cabinet through the minutes of the meeting.

View the worthy local causes which benefited from the latest rounds of funding. 

Who can apply?

The fund is available for projects that:

• demonstrate positive environmental outcomes through capital or revenue projects
• clearly demonstrate that they have focused on increasing the positive environmental impacts of the project and on reducing its negative environmental impacts
• conserve or enhance the biodiversity of a community
• help to promote or embed sustainability to the wider community
• promote physical and mental wellbeing and healthy within North Norfolk

We receive applications from:

• local voluntary organisations
• charities (whether registered or not)
• community groups
• Parish and Town Councils in North Norfolk
• larger regional or national charities or organisations, if the funding is to deliver a specific project in North Norfolk
• community businesses, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations

Before you apply

1. Read through the North Norfolk Sustainable Communities Fund Prospectus. 
2. Ensure that your organisation meets the criteria to apply.
3. Make sure the purpose of the funding meets the funding criteria.
4. Contact Sharon Garth on 01263 516248 if you need to discuss your application.

Making an application

Once it has been confirmed your application meets both sets of criteria,

1. Complete one of the following forms:

• Application form for grants between £1,000 to £15,000 *
• Application form for grants under £1,000 *

Guidance notes

• Applications £1,000 to £15,000
• Applications under £1,000

* The Declaration section on both forms must have an original signature.

Do not convert the application form to a Word document or any other format; and do not copy and paste information into the form as this distorts the formatting.

2. Complete the Independent Referee form and ask someone who knows the project to complete it. An original signature is also required on this form.
3. Lastly, gather all the requested documentation, including photos and ensure quotes are on company headed paper. No email quotes will be accepted.

Where to send your application

Once you have gathered your supporting documentation, please send your completed application to:

Email: supporting.communities@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Only applications which are fully completed, signed and accompanied by all supporting documentation that are received by the date below will be accepted.

When to apply

The North Norfolk Sustainable Communities Grant Fund is closed to applications until further notice.

Get in touch

Please contact Sharon Garth on 01263 516248 with any questions about completing the application form or the supporting documentation required.