The heritage sector plays an important role in helping to tackle climate change and protect our natural world. We’re looking for environmentally sustainable projects or exhibitions that help to achieve this.

The award is free to enter and open until 31 January 2025.

We're looking forward to seeing your entries and can't wait to celebrate the exciting sustainability projects that the sector has delivered in the past year.

Alistair Brown, Head of Museums, Libraries and Archives Policy at The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The award helps to shine a light on creative approaches that can also inspire others to embed sustainability at the heart of what they do.

What we’re looking for

We want to see outstanding environmentally sustainable projects or exhibitions that demonstrate best practice in managing or communicating environmental impacts.

Your project may have used, for example, energy efficiency measures, green visitor travel planning or unique approaches to engaging audiences with the climate crisis.

Entries should also identify any wider economic, social or environmental benefits to the organisation or community which have come from ‘thinking sustainably’.  

Projects must be based in the UK and have been delivered in 2024. 

There will be up to two winners

1. One which has used simple, affordable and easily-transferable approaches.
2. One which is a project with environmental sustainability embedded at its heart.

For inspiration, take a look at some of our previous winners including The Scottish Crannog Centre and Roots and Branches in 2024, and the Food Museum and SS Great Britain in 2023.

Key dates

• Entry deadline: 31 January 2025
• Shortlist announced: mid-March 2025
• Winners announced at an awards ceremony: 15 May 2025 

Supporting nature and the environment

Alistair Brown, Head of Museums, Libraries and Archives Policy at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "This year, the Heritage Fund is celebrating its 30th birthday. Throughout our 30 years, we have supported museums and heritage organisations to become more environmentally sustainable, and to engage the public on climate, nature and environmental issues.

"This work is more relevant than ever, and we are delighted to be sponsoring the Sustainable Project of the Year award. We're looking forward to seeing your entries and can't wait to celebrate the exciting sustainability projects that the sector has delivered in the past year." 

Visit the Museums + Heritage awards website for more information and to apply.

Run an environmentally sustainable project

Find out what we expect from the projects we fund and discover some tips on being environmentally sustainable:

• Read our environmental sustainability guidance
• Explore our protecting the environment investment principle
• Get inspiration on how to consider environmental sustainability in your project