Funding available to support community heritage projects in Northern Ireland

Community Heritage Fund

Applications are now for a new £200,000 programme of support, aimed at helping communities across Northern Ireland connect with the heritage in their local area.  

Through the Community Heritage Fund, which The National Lottery Heritage Fund is distributing on behalf of the Department for Communities, grants of between £3,000 - £10,000 will be available to projects to encourage local people to engage with the heritage on their doorstep.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is encouraging groups from across the country to apply, with hopes that as a result, local people can strengthen their connections with the heritage around them.

This funding is part of the the £29million Covid-19 Culture, Languages, Arts and Heritage Support Programme 2020/2021 which the Department for Communities are distributing across Northern Ireland.

Who can apply

The Community Heritage Fund is open to a wide and diverse range of heritage projects, including:

• Projects led by local authorities and third sector organisations including those already involved in the promotion of heritage at a community level.
• Organisations that care for heritage attractions in Northern Ireland e.g. historic building and sites, places of worship.
• Private owners of heritage, which are open to the local community.
• Community groups who are non-heritage based but interested in taking a closer look at the heritage on their doorstep.

The value of community heritage

Paul Mullan, Director, Northern Ireland, National Lottery Heritage Fund said:  

“The experience of lockdown in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) was a powerful reminder of the value and importance of the local environment to communities. Connecting with nature and heritage can be critical for maintaining personal mental and physical wellbeing.  

“We would like to build on this by helping people to strengthen their connections with their local area, tell their stories and find out about their past and the places where they live.  

“Whether you live in a city, a town or the countryside, everyone can benefit from the heritage of their immediate environment such as the buildings, monuments and landscapes that can be found within 15 minutes or so from their front door.

“I would encourage groups to check their eligibility and apply as soon as possible for this fund before it closes.”

Apply now

Full guidance is available now on The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s website: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/community-heritage-fund-northern-ireland

Organisations are urged to check their eligibility and apply swiftly before the deadline of midday on Friday 18 December.