A SCHEME to fund improvements to villages and communities inside the boundary of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park has been established.

The small scale enhancement scheme will provide funding for regeneration and environmental projects up to the value of £5,000.

It aims to help communities complete projects, repairs or improvements that they might otherwise not be able to receive funding for because they are deemed too small or insignificant.

The scheme, which is a subsidiary to the North York Moors Coast & Hills LEADER Programme, has a budget of £150,000 to distribute to rural development projects between now and December 2011.

The funding has been made available by the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union.

To become eligible for funding proposed projects must have widespread community support and fall into one of two categories; village renewal and development projects or conservation and upgrading of rural heritage projects.

Village renewal funds are aimed at projects that work to enhance the local village environment, strengthen and generate community cohesion or encourage community activities and village events.

Projects that receive conservation funds will be expected to increase understanding of the working landscape and help to protect traditional skills by raising awareness through appreciation and maintenance of local heritage and cultural features.

Once funds are allocated any work will be carried out by the North Yorkshire Moors National Park Authority, with responsibility for the project reverting back to the owner or the community once the work is complete.

Clair Shields, the small scale enhancement scheme co-ordinator for the national park, said: "Parish plans often highlight a wish list of small scale improvement projects that don't get off the ground due to a lack of time, skills, guidance or the financial resources to develop them further.

"The scheme provides a fantastic opportunity to implement these ideas benefiting local communities and the wider National Park."

To find out more about the scheme or to discuss an idea, contact Clair Shields or Rebecca Thompson on 01439-770657 or email ssescheme@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk