Do you love the High Weald? Do you have an idea that could help its landscape or communities thrive?

The High Weald Lund Fellowship is now open for 2026, offering grants of up to £7500 to people with a connection to the High Weald to develop new skills, ideas and knowledge that will benefit the national landscape.

You may be involved in a charity or community group, or work with the landscape or in farming or nature conservation – or you may simply love the High Weald and want to do something to enhance it.

The Fellowships are for High Weald champions of all kinds - whether you want to explore new farming techniques, support protected species, help build a greener local economy, or inspire others with your passion for the landscape.

The funding can be used for a range of activities, including going to conferences, attending training courses and visiting individuals and organisations doing interesting work. The idea is that you will go on to use the knowledge and ideas you gain from your Fellowship to benefit the High Weald.

We are open to a wide range of ideas. Past Fellowships have included:

• Roots of regeneration: Farming stories from the High Weald (Nigel Akehurst)

A celebration of the High Weald’s growing network of regenerative farmers, using in-depth interviews to explore the challenges and triumphs of this holistic way of farming, and inspire others to follow suit.

• High Weald: Farm to Fibre (Isabella Goggin)

An exploration of how textiles derived from domesticated livestock – such as wool and hides – could be a viable diversification option for regenerative farmers in the High Weald.

Fellowship holder Isabella Goggin said: “Receiving the fellowship was a joyful moment. Through the fellowship I have gained deeper knowledge and connection. I hope my findings will be useful and informative in how we could support local, ecological wool and leather".

You must be over 18 to apply, have a demonstrable connection and interest in the High Weald, and have some prior experience or knowledge relevant to your proposed Fellowship idea.

To find out more about the criteria and application process, visit the grants section of the High Weald website – www.highweald.org

Notes to editors

1. Lots of photos are available. For further information or images, please contact Jo O’Driscoll, Communications Lead at High Weald National Landscape, on jo.o’driscoll@highweald.org

2. The High Weald National Landscape is an area of outstanding natural beauty with a medieval landscape of rolling hills, small irregular fields, abundant woods and hedges, scattered farmsteads and sunken lanes. It covers parts of four counties – East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey, in the rural heart of South East England and is Britain’s fourth largest national landscape. It was designated in 1983 to conserve and enhance its natural beauty.

The High Weald National Landscape Partnership furthers understanding of the area’s special qualities and enable action to conserve and enhance them. The Partnership includes 15 local authorities, Defra and organisations representing the local community.

The High Weald is one of 46 National Landscapes which are home to some of the most spectacular and valued countryside in Britain. Information on all National Landscapes can be found at https://national-landscapes.org.uk/.