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Investing in heritage of diverse ethnic communities

Investing in heritage of diverse ethnic communities

A black adult and several children look at a display on slavery in a museum
London, Sugar and Slavery gallery at the Museum of London. Photo: Museum of London.
Heritage belongs to us all - which is why we want to help tell everyone's stories.

At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we support all sorts of projects which explore and celebrate the heritage of diverse ethnic communities.

We want to help the sector itself to better reflect the UK population. That's why we make it mandatory that all of the projects we fund ensure a wider range of people are involved in heritage.

The terms we use

Some of the terms we use include:

  • diverse ethnic communities, or ethnically diverse communities. In Scotland we use MECC (minority ethnic and cultural community). We have revised our usage of the term BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic).
  • LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other identities)

We use these terms because we believe they are widely understood. Identities can be complex and intersectional, and we are also aware that for many these terms may feel inadequate or limiting. We keep the language we use constantly under review.

Get inspiration for your project

We want to support projects that make the stories of the UK’s four nations more inclusive of everyone’s heritage. Get inspired by the projects below and find out more about applying for our funding.

Three people walking in woodland
Simon Thurley, Chair of the Heritage Fund, walking between Chantelle Lindsay and Bobbi Benjamin-Wand, from London Wildlife Trust, at Camley Street Natural Park in London. Image © Broni Lloyd-Edwards.

News

£5million to improve access to nature and combat climate change

We’re partnering with The Wildlife Trusts to bring nature to the heart of communities across the UK, as part of our Platinum Jubilee legacy investment.
Two young black people wearing casual clothes stand outside with a historic brick building in the background
Young black people were crucial to Don't Settle's work.

Projects

Don’t Settle: young people share their stories

On a mission to use heritage to give young people a voice, this project worked with diverse ethnic communities in Birmingham and the Black Country.

Two people talking. Behind them are banners promoting the Windrush Scotland project.
The project started conversations about the experiences of the Windrush generation.

Projects

Windrush Scotland: African-Caribbean Experiences in Scotland

Getting people talking and creating an archive of African-Caribbean community identity in Scotland was at the heart of the Windrush Scotland project.

A group of young people sit a table interviewing another young person, with another person to the side operating a camerawith
Young people conducting an interview for the project

Projects

Windrush Generations: Evolving Heritage

A group of young people working with the African Community Centre in Swansea led a project to uncover the stories of descendants of the Windrush generation living in South Wales.

Women attending Wayfinding project
Wayfinding: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Great Outdoors

Projects

Wayfinding: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Great Outdoors

The Wayfinding project created opportunities for people from diverse ethnic communities in the North East of England to engage with the outdoors and wildlife in their local area.

The South Riverside Community Development Centre
Green fingers and happy faces at the South Riverside Community Development Centre

News

£300,000 nature funding for under-served communities in Wales

Five of Wales’s most excluded and disadvantaged communities will be making the most of nature on their doorsteps thanks to ‘Local Places for Nature – Breaking Barriers’ grants.
Ferry Meadows Country Park

News

£6.5million for heritage projects in Staffordshire, Peterborough and Dudley

The projects aim to preserve key heritage sites, and will benefit a diverse range of people – from the church community to the locals of Stafford town centre. History at the Heart of Community Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Archives is receiving £3,964,000 for the History at the Heart of Community