Criteria and guidance notes for applications to

Sussex Lund at Sussex Community Foundation

The aim of Sussex Lund

Sussex Lund is a new grants programme, launched by Peter Baldwin and Lisbet Rausing as a collaboration between their charitable fund, Lund, and Sussex Community Foundation. It will support small-scale, practical projects that improve the ecology and landscape of the High Weald.

Recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the High Weald is an exceptional medieval landscape with a wealth of wildlife and historic features that provide a strong sense of place, enrich lives and inspire community pride.

Sussex Lund will support projects that make a practical and tangible improvement to the High Weald, and can inspire wider change. Examples might include improvements to habitats such as woods, marshes, meadows and hedgerows; planting trees and orchards; removing non-native tree species; community gardening; greening in and around villages; reducing sign and light pollution; clearing litter; and improving rights of way.

Who can apply?

Sussex Lund is open to anyone who has a project that will benefit the landscape of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This can include charities, community groups, schools, churches, councils, farmers and landowners.

If you are a private landowner or for-profit organisation you will need to demonstrate that the landscape and/or public benefit is greater than any private gain.

What is eligible for support?

The project must take place within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can view a map of the area on the Sussex Community Foundation website.

Applications are welcome for projects in the wider countryside as well as within and around villages and hamlets, in areas such as churchyards, school grounds, recreation areas and roadside verges.

Sussex Lund will not support education and interpretation projects, or make grants that are solely for core costs.

How much can I apply for?

One-off grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available. Larger grants may be awarded in exceptional circumstances. Ideally you will spend the grant within a year of accepting your grant offer but projects that take longer will be considered.

Is match funding required?

There is no requirement for match funding. However the Grants Panel will take into account your own or others’ commitment to the project in the form of cash, in-kind support or time.

How do I apply?

If your project meets Sussex Lund criteria you should complete and submit a Sussex Lund Grants Application Form, available at or by calling the office on 01273 409440.

The deadline for completed applications and supporting documents is 5pm, Friday 15th April 2016.

How will my project be assessed?

Your application will be scored and presented to the Sussex Lund Grants Panel in May. We will advise you of the Panel’s decision by mid-June.

The Panel will be looking for projects with strong evidence of need, benefit, and long term impact.

Priority will be given to projects that are:

  • located in the parishes of Mayfield and Fives Ashes, Wadhurst and Ticehurst
  • inspire wider change.

If you have any queries or wish to discuss your proposal then please contact the SCF Grants Team on 01273 409440 or email

Sussex Lund Guidance February 2016