Community heritage
Act for Action CIC, recipients of a community heritage grant from One Knowsley. Photo: Act for Action CIC.
Celebrating community heritage can help people come together, feel pride in where they live and save stories and traditions.
Since 1994 we have awarded £460million to more than 24,100 community and cultural heritage projects across the UK.
What do we support?
We fund projects that are researching, conserving and celebrating the heritage of a community or place.
These projects could include lots of types of heritage, such as people celebrating living customs or improving a historic green space. What's most important is that the project involves and benefits the community.
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- research the impact of a historical event on their town, and share their findings through displays, talks and online
- investigate the names on a war memorial
- crowdsource documents and photographs linked to the LGBTQ+ community, creating an online archive and exhibition
- set up an audio trail around a range of buildings, parks and monuments in a town
- enable a youth group to research their local history and create an animated film about their learnings
For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.
How to get funding
If you have an idea for a project, we would love to hear from you.
Sgowtiaid 1af Porthaethwy ar Bont Menai
News
1st Menai Bridge Scout Group wins Heritage Lottery support
The 1st Menai Bridge Scout Group has received funding for a challenging project to explore the role of Snowdonia and Anglesey Scouts and Scouting during the First World War.
Mwynhau Lido Pontypridd Lido
News
Making a splash at the opening of Pontypridd Lido
Today sees the doors of much-loved Pontypridd lido re-open.
Liz Ellis, Ymgynghorydd Polisi Cymunedau ac Amrywiaeth
Blogs
All-inclusive heritage adventures
Liz Ellis has been finding out about projects involving people with learning disabilities.
Plas Aberglasne
News
Aberglasney inspiring the next generation of heritage gardeners
Aberglasney Restoration Trust is to create a 'miniature college' in Carmarthenshire to teach the young people to become heritage horticultural experts.
Professor Mark Connelly
Blogs
Understanding the shadows of the Somme
With one year until the Centenary of the Battle of the Some, Professor Mark Connelly reflects on the far-reaching impacts of the battle and explores some of the stories waiting to be uncovered.
Gerddi Aberglasney, Sir Gaerfyrddin.
News
£2.6million Heritage Lottery grants for Wales’ churches, wildlife and wells
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is investing £2.6million in projects across Wales. The National Lottery funding will provide much needed support for Wales’ heritage.
Castell Aberteifi, Ceredigion
News
Lord Rhys’ original Eisteddfod recreated to celebrate completion of his castle
Cardigan Castle, birthplace of the Eisteddfod – Wales’ iconic cultural festival – once again saw its mighty walls filled with the sounds of traditional music and literature, as the castle played host to a celebratory concert last night (25 June).
News
Heritage groups offered free coaching to hone fundraising skills
Wales’s museums, libraries and other heritage and environmental organisations are being offered the chance to give their fundraising a major boost.
Eglwys Deiniol Sant, Llanuwchllyn
News
50th anniversary of Mimosa Voyage marked with £1million Heritage Lottery Grant for Llanuwchllyn Centre
HLF has awarded £1,032,700 grant towards the creation of a new tourist and heritage centre within Eglwys Deiniol Sant which will celebrate local heritage, including its connections with Patagonia.
Adeilad rhestredig Gradd II YMCA ym Mhontmorlais, Merthyr Tudful
News
Derelict Merthyr Tydfil YMCA building set for central role in regenerating the town
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has earmarked £2.6million of funding to help preserve the Grade II listed YMCA building in Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil by bringing it back into commercial use.
Adeilad Wilkins, Dolgellau sydd angen ei adfer
News
£2.6m Heritage Lottery investment for extensive regeneration projects in Dolgellau and Holyhead
Two north Wales towns have received the go-ahead from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop exciting regeneration plans.
News
Monumental Powys-wide First World War project receives Heritage Funding
A county-wide First World War project to identify, record and restore all war memorials across Powys has received a £350,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).