Recently launched in Scotland, the Great Place Scheme has been designed by HLF and partners to ensure intelligent investment in place-based regeneration. It offers funding for greater collaboration between cultural, community and civic organisations in tackling issues such as poverty and inequality, employment, education and health.

Placing heritage at the heart of joined-up thinking, the scheme responds to specific Scottish needs including:

[quote=Ros Kerslake, HLF Chief Executive]“The Great Place Scheme is a challenge to local leaders to work together to put culture right at the centre of their local plans."[/quote]

• Creating new dynamic networks and partnerships to maximise community benefit
• Devising new ways to include both the built and natural heritage in the provision of local education and health services
• Addressing inequality, involving young people and providing opportunities for training
• Researching and demonstrating the contribution made by heritage to the local economy
• Exploring and piloting new ways to finance cultural organisations.
• Building on initiatives and partnerships already in place

With grants of £100,000 to £1m to support applicants in piloting new, more effective ways of working together, the Great Place Scheme includes everything from city-wide initiatives to smaller, rural schemes. HLF will bring together an advisory panel of experts representing Scotland’s historic, creative and natural environment sectors to assist with the selection of the Great Places, with decisions expected in December.

Ros Kerslake, HLF Chief Executive, who launched the new initiative at the Financing the Historic Environment Conference in Glasgow, said: “The Great Place Scheme is a challenge to local leaders to work together to put culture right at the centre of their local plans. An area’s culture is important not just for its own sake; this scheme will show how it can also boost jobs and local economies, improve education and life chances and promote community cohesion and well-being.

“Using National Lottery players money we are enabling a step-change in thinking and as Scotland celebrates the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, it couldn’t be more timely. We look forward to hearing how communities across the national want to use their own heritage to shape an exciting future for everyone who lives there.”

Find out more on the Great Place Scheme website.