Investing in heritage of diverse ethnic communities
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.
Projects
Part of IT- Our story
Cultures CIC led a First World War project put together by the young people in the Teesside area which explored the contributions of African people and the effect of the war on the African continent.
Projects
Walter Tull: first black Tottenham Hotspur player and First World War officer
This project focused on the life of Walter Tull, the first black player for Tottenham Hotspur FC and one of the first black soldiers to have served as an officer during the First World War.
Projects
Dub Plate to Dub Step
Young people researched 50 years of Caribbean music and culture in Bristol and shared their findings via radio, film and online.
Projects
Exploring Romani art and decorating a traditional wagon
Luton Cultural Services Trust and a youth group purchased and decorated a traditional Romani vardo (wagon) in an original folk art style.
Projects
Young curators in Birmingham discovered west African textiles
Students from Birmingham universities worked with Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to create an exhibition to showcase and explore the museum’s West African textile collections.
Projects
Fashioning Africa
Meaningful relationships were built with local communities and diverse experts in this Collecting Cultures project, which saw new ways of working trialled and access widened.
Projects
I-Land Life
For Friction Arts' I-Land Life project, young people from Birmingham's Five Ways Estate discovered stories of their families' heritage and migration to Britain.
Projects
1947 The Partition Project
Young people interviewed older British Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs about their experiences of the Partition of India and created an exhibition and workshops for schools and community groups.
Projects
Young Muslim Aberdeen
A group of local young Muslims explored how their heritage is archived in two major city museums, in a project run by Young Muslim Aberdeen.
Projects
Garnethill Synagogue, Glasgow - restoration
The 19th-century tiled floor of Garnethill Synagogue was repaired by a specialist tiler working with a young apprentice, and is now enjoyed by all those who visit.
Projects
International Haggis Journey
International Womens Group explored the connection between Scottish haggis and similar dishes from countries such as Syria, Iran and Egypt.
Projects
A View from Here - Housing Heritage: Dispersal and Diaspora
Four communities researched, documented, and shared the cultural and social history of tower blocks in the city.