Walking, hydro-power, and the creative arts are among projects backed by the Peak District Sustainable Development Fund designed to benefit local communities.

The fund's panel has awarded grants of £20,000 to the Bollington Initiative Trust towards a volunteers centre that will form part of an eventual £2m environmental studies and heritage skills centre at Ingersley Hall if a Heritage Lottery Fund bid is successful; £15,500 to Arts in the Peak's Futurescape project which will place five artists or writers in residence across the Peak District to produce community events reflecting changes faced by local people and landscapes; and £5,300 to the Bradfield 'Walkers are Welcome' initiative, part of a national campaign including local walking guides and information to stimulate more visits to the area. A further £1,000 will help towards investigating the feasibility of hydro-power generation at Litton Mill in Millers Dale, and community group Transition Chesterfield has received £800 to launch its Access the Peak District project, creating walking guides that link with bus and train services easily accessible from Chesterfield.

Three other projects supported by the fund will have their official openings in September - a new 12-mile Bollington Tree Trail on 5 September; an energy-efficient extension to Bakewell's Old House Museum on 23 September; and Parwich's new Memorial Hall, complete with renewable and energy saving measures, on 25 September. Pauline Beswick, chair of the independent panel which allocates the grants, said: "These projects are inspiring and effective in improving the lives of local people. We're glad to be able to support communities and organisations who are working so hard to ensure a sustainable future for the Peak District."

The Sustainable Development Fund, financed by Defra, supports social, educational and environmental projects and is managed by the Peak District National Park Authority. Image of Litton Mill: Clem Rutter