Community heritage
Celebrating community heritage can help people come together, feel pride in where they live and save stories and traditions.
Since 1994 we have awarded £460million to more than 24,100 community and cultural heritage projects across the UK.
What do we support?
We fund projects that are researching, conserving and celebrating the heritage of a community or place.
These projects could include lots of types of heritage, such as people celebrating living customs or improving a historic green space. What's most important is that the project involves and benefits the community.
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- research the impact of a historical event on their town, and share their findings through displays, talks and online
- investigate the names on a war memorial
- crowdsource documents and photographs linked to the LGBTQ+ community, creating an online archive and exhibition
- set up an audio trail around a range of buildings, parks and monuments in a town
- enable a youth group to research their local history and create an animated film about their learnings
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
If you have an idea for a project, we would love to hear from you.
News
Hidden Now Heard project unearths our silenced heritage
Mencap's three year project is capturing memories of former residents and staff from Wales's long-stay hospitals.
News
Putting down roots in Penrhyndeudraeth
This Saturday there’s going to be a party in Penrhyndeudraeth – and there’s certainly plenty to celebrate, as youngsters embark on a new project to learn more about the former local munitions works that was once the largest explosives factory in Europe.
Blogs
Diving in to heritage at Pontypridd Lido
Last week the much-loved Pontypridd Lido re-opened after almost a quarter of a century. Our new Head of HLF Wales, Richard Bellamy, explains why its story is so important to him.
News
1st Menai Bridge Scout Group wins Heritage Lottery support
The 1st Menai Bridge Scout Group has received funding for a challenging project to explore the role of Snowdonia and Anglesey Scouts and Scouting during the First World War.
News
Making a splash at the opening of Pontypridd Lido
Today sees the doors of much-loved Pontypridd lido re-open.
Blogs
All-inclusive heritage adventures
Liz Ellis has been finding out about projects involving people with learning disabilities.
News
Aberglasney inspiring the next generation of heritage gardeners
Aberglasney Restoration Trust is to create a 'miniature college' in Carmarthenshire to teach the young people to become heritage horticultural experts.
Blogs
Understanding the shadows of the Somme
With one year until the Centenary of the Battle of the Some, Professor Mark Connelly reflects on the far-reaching impacts of the battle and explores some of the stories waiting to be uncovered.
News
£2.6million Heritage Lottery grants for Wales’ churches, wildlife and wells
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is investing £2.6million in projects across Wales. The National Lottery funding will provide much needed support for Wales’ heritage.
News
Lord Rhys’ original Eisteddfod recreated to celebrate completion of his castle
Cardigan Castle, birthplace of the Eisteddfod – Wales’ iconic cultural festival – once again saw its mighty walls filled with the sounds of traditional music and literature, as the castle played host to a celebratory concert last night (25 June).
News
Heritage groups offered free coaching to hone fundraising skills
Wales’s museums, libraries and other heritage and environmental organisations are being offered the chance to give their fundraising a major boost.
News
50th anniversary of Mimosa Voyage marked with £1million Heritage Lottery Grant for Llanuwchllyn Centre
HLF has awarded £1,032,700 grant towards the creation of a new tourist and heritage centre within Eglwys Deiniol Sant which will celebrate local heritage, including its connections with Patagonia.