Excitation functions were measured for 'He-and a-particle induced nuclear reactions on natural neon leading to the formation of ^^Na and "Na from their respective thresholds up to 36 MeV in the case of 'He-particles and up to 27 MeV for a-particles. Use was made of the stacked-gas cell technique. A comparison of production yields of ^^Na and "Na via various low energy (Eprojeciiie -40 MeV) routes is given. ^^Na can be produced at a low energy multiparticle accelerator using proton, 'He-or oparticle induced reactions on neon, the highest yield being provided by protons. For "Na production, the ^^Mg(d,o) reaction is most suitable.