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HLF announces 12-year heritage strategy
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has published its new strategy on how best to fund heritage projects in the UK over the next 12 years.
According to the document, from April 2008 to 2013, the HLF will grant £1.9bn – around £180m annually – towards schemes of all sizes intended to improve the UK’s heritage, confirming the HLF’s position as the sector’s largest funding benefactor.
Chair Dame Liz Forgan said: “Our wide-ranging consultation informed us that our key aims of conservation, participation and learning should remain at the heart of our work and confirmed that we must continue to take a very broad approach to heritage, allowing applicants to come to us with their projects based on what people most value.”
In addition, a simpler application and assessment process will be launched to expedite funding decisions and a new mentoring scheme will be introduced to better support applicants and grantees, with improved feedback at a regional and country level.
Culture minister Margaret Hodge added: “Heritage is the foundation of today’s society; it tells us where we have come from and provides the places where we live with so much of their character and beauty.
“I am delighted that the HLF will continue with its broad and distinctive approach and has committed to simpler processes and more help for applicants.”
Applicants will also be asked to show how they intend to carry out projects with a minimal impact on the environment.
A new youth participation strategy called Champions of the Future aims to engage more young people in heritage schemes and an annual volunteers award scheme will be launched so that the general public can nominate local heritage heroes.
Photograph: HLF chair Dame Liz Forgan