NLHF and AHF Launch £5m Fund to Revive Unused Historic Buildings

Grants, advice and support for community-led trusts (charities and social enterprises) that can deliver local regeneration with heritage at the forefront.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), working in partnership, have launched the new three-year £5 million UK Heritage Development Trusts Programme.

The programme aims to create a UK-wide network of financially resilient organisations that revive unused buildings and support regeneration in some of the country’s most deprived places and communities.

The programme will provide funding and capacity building support to between 10 and 13 Heritage Development Trusts operating in locations of need and potential across the UK, who will join the existing group of 7 Heritage Development Trusts in England supported as part of a pilot initiative between 2020-23.

There is a total budget of £5 million. It is anticipated that between 10 and 13 organisations will be supported.

The type of support will vary depending on the stage of development of each Trust and its individual needs but, in summary:

Revenue funding of between £55,000 and £70,000 per year, for three years, from January 2024.
Access to support from consultant Project Advisers specialising in areas such as governance, social impact measurement, community engagement, fundraising and social investment, business planning, environmental sustainability and green energy solutions.
Eligible to apply for Project Viability Grants (up to £15,000 per project) and Project Development Grants (up to £75,000) to develop projects involving the rescue and reuse of historic buildings.
Membership of a UK-wide peer-to-peer learning network of Heritage Development Trusts.
Mentoring from another Heritage Development Trust.

The funding is to be used for revenue costs to support the objective of the completion of at least one historic building regeneration project with a clear action plan for acquiring more heritage assets to add to the applicant organisation’s portfolio.

Charities and social enterprises (with different legal structures) from across the UK can apply, from those just getting started to mature organisations looking to adopt a new approach. Applications will also be accepted from two or more organisations working in partnership.

There is only one round of applications for this funding.

There is a two-stage application process.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 26 June 2023 (9am).

Full details…