£5 million funding boost for new Heritage Development Trusts to revive unused historic buildings

THE NATIONAL LOTTERY Heritage Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has announced a three-year partnership programme to save heritage across the UK –by empowering people to come together to revive unused buildings and support expert regeneration in some of the UK’s most deprived places and communities. Expressions of Interest for this new programme opened in May.

This builds on AHF’s successful pilot Heritage Development Trust (HDT) initiative, which supported seven trusts across England with revenue funding, grants to develop plans for historic building projects and specialist advice as they scale up their activities.

The new Heritage Development Trusts will receive a package of funding that includes three-year revenue grants between £55k-£70k per annum, as well as guidance from consultants and mentors to develop their skills and knowledge alongside peer-to-peer support to expand their network of contacts, with regular events to share expertise and experience. They will also be eligible to apply for project viability grants and project development grants to help bring historic buildings back into use.

How To Apply

ORGANISATIONS will be required to submit an Expression of Interest by 9am on MONDAY 26 JUNE. Trusts that are shortlisted will be invited to submit a full application by September, and decisions on grant funding will be made in December 2023.

Further information on funding, eligibility and how to apply are available on AHF’s website at https://ahfund.org.uk/grants/hdt/ or by signing up to online workshops in June. Full details on dates and timings are available as follows:

• Thu 8th June, 13:00 – 14:00 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/641234829637

• Wed 14th June, 10:00 – 11:00 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/641237116477