National Capacity Building Programme

Summary

The programme provides funding to national and local voluntary and other organisations for projects which promote the conservation, understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment.

Eligible Applicants

The programme is open primarily to voluntary organisations but partnerships between voluntary organisations and public or heritage sector bodies will be considered. Normally only organisations providing national (ie England-wide) coverage will be eligible but projects piloting new activities or approaches at a regional level and establishing replicable best-practice models with the potential for wider application will be considered. 

Eligible Projects

Priority is given to projects which meet one or more of the following objectives:

i) projects which encourage greater access to and active engagement with the historic environment for those traditionally left out of cultural activities;

ii) projects which build up the capacity and commitment of local communities to champion the conservation and enhancement of their own local historic environments;

iii) projects which promote best-practice standards for the conservation, documentation, interpretation and sustainable enjoyment of the resources of England's historic environment;

iv) projects which promote the cultural diversity of England's heritage;

v) support to bodies discharging under specific functions relating to statutory controls.

Emphasis is given to supporting new initiatives and those projects which make most effective use of voluntary effort.

Funding is intended to provide support towards revenue costs, such as salaries and office running costs. It is normally limited to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs and may be tapered to reduce the percentage of the costs met by the programme in later years. Funding is normally given for two or three years, though in some cases funding for one year may be more appropriate.

Funding is not considered for work that qualifies for assistance under any other EH funded programmes

Timetable for 2008 bidding round

English Heritage is currently inviting applications under the theme of Managing the historic environment for activities or projects lasting up to three years from April 2009. The budget available for ongoing and new projects will be approximately £500,000 per annum. Applications concerned with providing access to or conserving the historic environment will be considered exceptionally, as they were the themes of last year’s bidding round. Applications must be submitted by 14 November 2008. It would be most helpful to receive applications electronically (to the email address below) as well as in hard copy.

Available Documents

The 2008 application pack can be downloaded from this page.

Contact Details

This programme is administered centrally. For further information, please contact:

Guy Braithwaite
English Heritage
1 Waterhouse Square
138 – 142 Holborn
London EC1N 2ST

Telephone: 020 7973 3288
Fax:    020 7973 3249
Email:guy.braithwaite@english-heritage.org.uk