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.

Cultures CIC project exhibition
Cultures CIC project exhibition

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.

Young people interviewing for the radio station
Young people interviewing for the radio station

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.

Handling fabrics
Handling fabrics at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

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.

A line of people smiling
The collecting panel for Fashioning Africa

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.

Young person conducting interview

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.

A group of young people who participated in1947 The Partition Project

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.

Participants in the project
Participants in the project

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.

People being shown inside Garnethill Synagogue, Glasgow
People gather inside Garnethill Synagogue

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.

International Womens Group hosting their Burns Night evening
International Womens Group hosting their Burns Night evening

Projects

International Haggis Journey

International Womens Group explored the connection between Scottish haggis and similar dishes from countries such as Syria, Iran and Egypt.