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 support all communities to explore and share their heritage, enriching people’s lives and increasing the diversity of heritage workforces, leadership and audiences. That's why under our Heritage 2033 investment principles inclusion, access and participation must be part of every project we fund.
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)
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. This describes a range of ethnic groups or people with nomadic ways of life who are not from a specific ethnicity.
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.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
Each June Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month celebrates the histories, cultures and traditions of a diverse range of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and nomadic communities.
By sharing the stories and amplifying the voices of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people we can help to tackle prejudice and raise awareness about the past and present of the communities.
Our collection below showcases the diverse range of projects across the UK that we’ve supported to uncover, explore, and celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller heritage.
Get inspiration for your project
Explore the projects below and find out more about applying for our funding.
Projects
You, Me and Tea
Exploring Northern Ireland’s association with tea, its trade links with India and China, and bringing diverse communities together.
Projects
The UK’s first centre dedicated to anti-apartheid heritage
This project will restore the former headquarters of the African National Congress at 28 Penton Street, London, creating a new centre to share the stories of South Africa's liberation.
Stories
Battlefield bonds: sharing the heritage of Nepal and the UK’s military partnership
Projects
Exploring the life stories of South Asian women survivors of sexual violence
What will people say? was an oral history project led by Greater Manchester Rape Crisis (GMRC) in partnership with the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust.
Blogs
‘Heritage is a bridge that connects me to my South Asian and Scottish identities’
Projects
Outdoors for All: supporting South Asian communities in Glasgow
The founders of Boots and Beards are using their love for Scotland’s outdoors to bring together the wider South Asian community.
Projects
Multi-generational project fosters sense of connectedness amongst Luton’s Bengali community
Bangladesh Youth League Luton aims to create greater understanding of Bangladeshi heritage and culture through creative activities, sharing heritage with the public and training project volunteers.
News
Six projects celebrating the legacy of the Windrush generation
News
Eurovision fever in full swing across Liverpool City Region
Projects
Excavating untold stories of people from diverse ethnic communities in South Yorkshire
In the Dig Where You Stand project, artists, archivists, educators and local people will work together to explore hidden histories that stretch back centuries.
Projects
Black heritage, performance and Shakespeare in Scotland
Inspired by the untold history of Black performance in Scotland, this project celebrates modern black LGBTQ+ performance and widens understanding and engagement with Black Scottish heritage.
News