Community heritage
Since 1994 we have awarded £590million to more than 27,600 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
Hello Future: Manchester Museum to reopen following ambitious transformation
Projects
Temporary exhibition presenting the history of the Chinese community in Chinatown 1960 to present
The project resulted in an exhibition to explore, celebrate and understand the heritage of the Chinese community in London’s Chinatown from the 1960s.
News
£1.4million to transform the Highlands’ Glencoe Folk Museum
Projects
Our Heritage: supporting D/deaf children in Walsall
Families of children with D/deafness or hearing impairments took part in social activities that taught them about local heritage, traditions and skills passed down through generations.
Projects
‘Into the garden and beyond’ – improving visitor access to Parc Cefn Onn
A £454,000 grant is enabling people to enjoy improved access to the Grade II listed historic park in Cardiff.
News
An Tobar is Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Project of the Year
News
Lancashire’s Bank Hall restored to former glory
Projects
Uncovering the history of long-distance communication for migrants in Scotland
While many were using audio cassettes to listen to their favourite mixtape, for some South Asians in Scotland they were essential for communicating with their family.
Projects
St John's Church pairs spire repair with Worksop community activities
An eco church in Nottinghamshire is making urgent repairs to their spire, inviting the local community to engage with the church’s heritage, and creating a social isolation café.
Projects
Connecting Lewisham to its Migration Heritage
This 18-month project explores and shares the history of migration to the UK, in particular the stories of people who settled in Lewisham.
Projects
Making Mischief: the living heritage of folk costume in Britain
This collaborative project aims to document the colourful, community-based celebrations of Britain's folk heritage and bring it to life at two exhibitions.
News