From the organisers of the Natural Stone Show

 

 

 
Stone Heritage

Lottery resumes support of new heritage projects this month

, By Eric Bignell

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, announces the re-opening of its coronavirus Grants for Heritage scheme.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is re-opening its National Lottery Grants for Heritage programme - but it is not a return to 'business as usual', says the Fund's Chief Executive, Ros Kerslake, in a blog today (4 November).

In the blog Ros looks at the challenges that have faced the UK’s heritage sector this year and how the National Lottery Heritage Fund has helped to the tune of £600million (twice as much as a usual year), in addition to the £1.1billion-worth of projects it was already supporting.

Since the cornonavirus lockdown the Fund has concentrated on help for companies and projects to survive the exceptional circumstances rather than looking at new projects. But now it will resume accepting applications for grants up to £100,000 for new projects from later this month (25 November) and of up to £5million from 8 February next year.

But she says there will be a change of emphasis in future. "As we build back, I want us to grasp the possibilities that this trying period offers for positive change across the heritage sector.

"Our funding and expertise will support heritage organisations to adapt to fundamentally changed circumstances, to closely examine their existing business models and to develop new, creative and more resilient ways of operating.

"Now, more than ever, I believe that heritage has to demonstrate its economic contribution and value to our national life and support for the recovery of our local economies and communities.

"That’s why, through our heritage funding and support ahead, we will prioritise projects that:

  • boost the local economy
  • provide job creation and encourage skills development
  • support local health and wellbeing
  • encourage rebuilding community cohesion.

"And, critically, we will want all the project partners we work with to demonstrate that they are building long-term environmental sustainability and inclusion into their plans."

To read Ros Kerslake’s blog, click here. 

To see the National Lottery Heritage Fund grants available and find out how to apply for them, visit the website below.

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