A NEW funding programme has been launched by Exmoor National Park Authority to support local groups, businesses and individuals who help to promote the moor and make it a sustainable place to live, work and play.

The Exmoor National Park Partnership Fund offers grants for good ideas and projects that help conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the national park or promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities.

The fund replaces the successful Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) which invested nearly £1.9m in local schemes over the last ten years.

The SDF supported more than 100 projects across Exmoor and helped successful applicants to attract a further £6.5m for a wide range of projects that might otherwise not have had the chance to get underway.

The new Partnership Fund aims to build on that success and has been established to help the authority to work more closely with land managers, communities and businesses in the national park.

Nigel Stone, the authority's chief executive, said: "In past years, most of the national park's project funding was allocated as part of the annual budgeting process with a set aside Sustainable Development Fund for communities and business.

"This year, the national park authority has decided to open up more of its funding for external funding bids.

"The new Partnership Fund will enable us to support more bids from partners and the local community than before, alongside projects being developed by staff.

" It will also be a more open process as people will be able to see bids at least a week before the decisions are made at public meetings of the sub-committee."

Around £500,000 will be available in the current financial year towards projects that meet the criteria of the fund.

Decisions on all applications over £2,500 will be considered by a new discretionary budget sub-committee of five authority members, which will meet for the first time on August 2.

Grants can range from a couple of hundred to several thousands of pounds with a streamlined application process for those seeking less than £20,000.

To qualify for funding, projects must contribute to at least one of the two national park purposes, should contribute to objectives set out in the National Park Management Plan for Exmoor and demonstrate community involvement or support.

A "weighting" will be given in favour of projects that will achieve real economic and community benefits and long-term impact.

Dan James, the authority's sustainable economy officer, said: "There is scope to fund a broad range of projects within the fund criteria.

"The new fund offers a great opportunity for communities and partner organisations to develop new ideas and initiatives and we look forwards to discussing people's ideas."

Eligible projects might involve a range of activities addressing issues such as landscape conservation, education and outreach, access, sustainable development, enhancing the visitor experience, biodiversity, cultural heritage and much more.

Funding would normally be up to 50 per cnet for projects submitted by individuals and businesses or up to 75 per cent for projects run by community and voluntary organisations.

Full details of the new fund are available within the "living in" community section of the authority's website at http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk">www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.

Anyone interested in applying for funding can contact Dan James on 01398 322234 or email [email protected]">[email protected].