Thriving Places

What we mean by place 

‘Place’ can mean many things, and definitions vary depending on where you are or who you ask. But examples include a local community, a natural landscape or an entire city. 

How heritage supports great places 

Many areas across the UK have a ‘sense of place’ that inspires local pride and increases wellbeing. 
 
Heritage sits at the heart of a place’s identity, adding depth, character and value. This can include buildings and monuments, landscapes, high streets and parks.  

Heritage helps connect people and communities to a place and boosts local economic prosperity.  

Our funding for heritage projects  

We welcome projects that take a 'place-based approach'. Place-based working is about: 

• identifying challenges and opportunities in the heritage of a place 
• developing responses which bring about benefits for both the heritage and the place 
• thinking beyond an individual project by considering how it relates to your local area and community
• partnering or coordinating with other organisations to increase the impact of your project

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made this way of working more important than ever. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on communities and local economies in places across the UK.  

The heritage sector can play a leading role in their recovery, which is why we refocused our priorities for our National Lottery Grants for Heritage in 2021-22. We are now prioritising projects with outcomes that create better places to live, work and visit, and boost local economies.

See our funding programmes to find out how to apply.

A place funder, not just a project funder

We also support place-based working by: 

• devolving decision-making, which enables locally based staff, with local expertise, to assess applications and make awards 
• addressing under-representation in our funding of geographical areas experiencing deprivation 
• working with local councils and others to connect our funding to wider local priorities  
• working with national partners and agencies on major place-based initiatives 

Running a place-based project 

Need help or inspiration?  

You can find useful guidance here: 

• Local area guidance  
• Local economy guidance 
• Area-based schemes and area action plans  

And discover how heritage can create better places in the project examples below.