Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund sustains a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. We have supported more than 2,500 projects in the West Midlands with grants ranging from £300 to multi-million-pound awards.
Heritage includes many different things from the past that we value and want to pass on to future generations, for example:
• People's memories and experiences
• Histories of people and communities including languages and dialects and cultural traditions;
• Histories of places and events;
• Historic buildings and streets;
• Archaeological sites;
• Collections of objects, books or documents in museums, libraries or archives;
• Natural and designed landscapes and gardens;
• Wildlife, including special habitats and species.
Our Priorities:
• Conserve the UK's diverse heritage for present and future generations to experience and enjoy.
And / or
• Enable more people, and a wider range of people, to take an active part in and make decisions about their heritage.
All projects must:
• Enable people to learn about their own and others heritage.
Our Grant Programmes
Your Heritage: Your Heritage is our general small grants programme for all types of heritage project. It is a flexible programme, with grants available form £3,000 to £50,000 for projects that enable communities to conserve, take an active part in and learn about their own and other heritage.
For example, the Log on to the Severn project created a full sized working dugout canoe, a type once used on the River Severn, and now displayed at Rowley's House Museum in Shrewsbury. Over a period of four weeks an oak log weighing several tons was carved into a replica of a boat from the Museum on a site where the public were able to talk with archaeologists, historians and woodcarvers to learn about ancient skills and the lives of those whose vessels plied the Severn.
Young Roots: Young Roots I s a targeted programme for 13 to 25 year olds, for heritage projects which stem directly from young people's ideas, channelling their creativity.
For example, teenagers from the youth forum Young Black Impact looked at the influence of British Black Musicians to the UK music industry from the 1950s to the present day. The project culminated in a ‘Stars in your Eyes' style event.
Heritage Grants: This is our main programme for grants over £50,000 for all kinds of heritage. From April 2008 all applications go through two assessment rounds, applying with an outline early in the project development cycle and then if successful, providing more detailed plans at the second round. Financial support for developing projects may be available between the first and second rounds.
For example, the Connecting Histories project is a nationally significant and innovative initiative to enhance access to important library and archive collections in Birmingham and Coventry relating to the culturally diverse histories of the region and the nation. The project included cataloguing collections, developing e learning resources, training and events.
Changes under Strategic Plan Three April 2008 - 2013
In April 2008 we will be introducing new application materials and guidance for all our programmes as part of the launch of our third Strategic Plan. In general, we will have a simpler and faster application and assessment process - with all our main programmes continuing under SP3.
Other changes include:
• More help will be available where appropriate as HLF will offer a mentoring service. Please contact the West Midlands Team for further information.
• Going greener - Projects will be asked to minimise their environmental impact and focus on sustainability.
• Heritage Heroes - An annual award scheme, to celebrate the contribution volunteers make to heritage. You can nominate your 'Heritage Hero' as part of the Nationwide Community and Heritage Awards by visiting www.hlf.org.uk
• Champions of the Future - HLF will engage with young people, who can bring fresh perspectives to heritage projects and develop their own skills, knowledge and confidence.
How can we help?
• Development team can provide advice and support prior to submitting an application.
• Potential applicants can complete a pre-application form on our website.
• Our website has publications, case studies, guidance notes etc. to help applicants.
• We run workshops on the first Thursday and second Tuesday of every month for more information on our grant programmes and advice on project ideas.
Contact the West Midlands Team:
0121 616 6870 westmidlands@hlf.org.uk or www.hlf.org.uk
