The Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative for Heritage, announced today by the Department for Communities, will strengthen the heritage sector in Northern Ireland.

Many employment roles that sustain the sector have been impacted by the pandemic. Heritage organisations can use this funding to create new employment opportunities in these roles. They should support individuals working in these roles through training and skills development.

By bringing new talent to the sector and developing capabilities through training, work experience and volunteering, this funding can boost recovery and resilience.

- Paul Mullan, Director of Northern Ireland, the Heritage Fund

The Heritage Fund is distributing this funding following criteria set by the Department for Communities.

What can the funding be used for?

A broad range of roles across the heritage sector can be supported. They could include posts in marketing, digital, operations, finance, sales, visitor experience and volunteering.

New posts should provide a high quality job opportunity for individuals whilst supporting the organisation and wider sector to grow.

The funding aims to:

• encourage new talent to enter the sector
• provide individuals with training, experience and transferable skills
• support work experience and volunteering opportunities

Costs can include wages, on-boarding, training, expenses and equipment for the new role.

What funding is available?

Organisations can apply for £50,000 - £100,000 to fund one role over three years. Priority will be given to roles that can become sustainable in the long term.

Find out more and apply

We are running two applicant support webinars with a chance to ask questions:

• 11am on Thursday 3 February (now passed)
• 12pm on Wednesday 9 February (now passed)

Any FAQs will be made available through the funding guidance shortly after.

Organisations have from Monday 31 January until noon on 17 February 2022 to submit applications.

Strengthening Northern Ireland’s heritage sector

The Heritage Fund’s Director of Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, said: “This dedicated funding from the Department for Communities is available to support and strengthen organisations working in the heritage sector.

“As the pandemic has changed the ways in which we work and interact with others, this valuable support will create new roles and employment opportunities. By bringing new talent to the sector and developing capabilities through training, work experience and volunteering, this funding can boost recovery and resilience.

“I would encourage heritage organisations to consider submitting an application and come along to the Heritage Fund’s online support webinar on Thursday 3 February.”

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