New small grants programme to explore community heritage in Wales

New small grants programme to explore community heritage in Wales

Close-up of the Billy the Seal statue
Billy the Seal statue in Victoria Park, Cardiff
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has partnered with Cadw – the Welsh historic environment body – to support projects that connect communities with heritage in their local area.

15-Minute Heritage is open for grants from £3,000-£10,000. It is seeking projects that record stories of people’s connection to the buildings, monuments, landscapes and parks within about 15 minutes of their doorstep.

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said: “At the Fund we have always stressed that heritage can be defined in many different ways – it can be a building, a landmark, a nature reserve or even your local shop. They all play a part in creating and shaping our communities and offer a valuable insight into today’s society.

“Thanks to National Lottery players and this partnership with Cadw, people will have the opportunity to preserve their memories of their local landscape and keep them alive for future generations. I, for one, am very much looking forward to seeing people’s ideas and supporting them to become a reality.”

What we will fund

The aim of all applicants should be to inspire people to look more closely at their local places.

We are particularly interested in projects that share diverse interpretations of heritage, for example between generations, ethnic groups or specialised interest groups.   

Project activities could include: 

  • the creation of cycling or walking trails
  • murals or pop-up window displays
  • development of digital resources, such as interactive maps, videos, exhibitions or podcasts
  • small-scale physical works such as plaques or interpretive panels 
A bandstand in a park on a sunny day
Victoria Park bandstand, Cardiff

Who is eligible

The £330,000 fund will support:

  • projects led by local authorities and third sector organisations
  • organisations that care for heritage attractions in Wales, including not-for-profits
  • private owners of heritage can apply as long as the funded activity is free to access
  • we particularly encourage community groups who are not heritage-based to get involved and to explore their interpretation of heritage

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 14 October 2020, and projects must complete by 31 March 2021.

Please read the full criteria and guidance before submitting an application through our portal.

Why 15-Minute Heritage

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been challenging for everyone. It has also given many of us a greater appreciation for the local environment close to our home.

Many people will have enjoyed rediscovering long-forgotten nature trails or visiting local landmarks. 15-Minute Heritage aims to ensure these experience are recorded for future generations.

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