Are you struggling to turn into reality your ideas for living a more sustainable lifestyle or for working in a more sustainable way?

If so, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority invites you to bid for a special fund which could help you to make a difference.

The Authority administers the Sustainable Development Fund, which is provided by the Welsh Government to support projects which find practical environmental, social, cultural and economic solutions to improve the quality of life for Pembrokeshire communities.

Emma Taylor, Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Administrator for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: "The SDF presents a great opportunity for anyone wishing to achieve their goal by striking a balance between the ways in which we live our lives and protecting the beauty of the landscape.

"We've supported some really excellent projects over recent years that cover a diverse range of sustainability topics. Projects can be large or small, range from locally based to those applying across the National Park or a wider area."

Since the scheme began in 2003 nearly £1.9m of support has been given to local sustainability projects. In the past year, projects receiving support included:

· The construction of an environmentally friendly straw bale building to house a shop, tea room and training centre at the Stackpole Walled Gardens (Pembrokeshire Mencap) on the Stackpole Estate. When finished, this will be staffed by adults and young people with learning disabilities.

· The use of reed, cut to conserve wetland wildlife sites, to provide heat via a biomass boiler. Reed from the wetlands will be dried in a new barn and chipped before being burned for heating. Learn more at the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales in Cilgerran.

· The construction of a sustainable agricultural building to house a bee farming enterprise in Coedcanlas. The project includes honey production, native bee breeding and educational visits.

Emma added: "This year is the National Park's 60th anniversary and the SDF fund can support people who want to ensure that in another 60 years' time the Park remains a special place where people live, work and play in a beautiful natural environment."

If you think you have a project idea that could qualify for and benefit from SDF funding, contact Emma Taylor on 0845 345 7275 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.