HLF-supported projects will now be asked to make their digital content widely available at no charge and to use a Creative Commons licence¹ so anyone can access and reuse content for non-commercial purposes. 

HLF has changed its policy so that it can now fund stand-alone digital projects. It has not previously funded the creation of digital materials (such as websites, DVDs or apps) when they were the only focus of a project. 

Speaking at the launch of HLF’s new strategic framework for 2013 – 2018, Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of HLF, said: “In the fast moving world of digital, HLF wants to ensure the sector makes the most of harnessing important digital opportunities. So, from today, we will fund projects whose main or sole focus is using digital technology to give access to our heritage, to enable people to learn about heritage, and to develop the interactive experiences of heritage that engage and excite people. And in doing so we are asking organisations to make their digital content widely available and free to use and re-use, putting us at the forefront of public funders of digital products.”

Notes to editors

• Creative Commons is a non-profit organisation that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools.
• Provided they meet the criteria of HLF’s grant programmes. 
• All projects must meet HLF’s strategic aim for learning - ‘to help people learn about their own and other people’s heritage’- and therefore people need to be actively engaged with the digital material. It is now possible for this engagement to be through digital technology itself e.g. websites, crowd-sourcing, social media, apps or other platforms.
• We have published 22 case studies which illustrate a wide range of approaches to using digital media to engage people with heritage, from crowd sourcing to geocaching and from mobile applications to websites. 
• Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects, allocating £4.9billion across the UK. 

Further information

Katie Owen or Lydia Davies, HLF Press Office, on 020 7591 6036 / 6032 or mobile: 07973 613820