Voluntary and community organisations across the United Kingdom can apply for funding for projects and activities that promote the long-term preservation and development of endangered heritage crafts.

Heritage Crafts Association is offering grants of between £500 and £2,000 to support crafts that are currently listed as endangered or critically endangered on the Red List of Endangered Crafts and provide opportunities for makers and trainees who wish to develop or share their skills in the crafts that have been identified as being most at risk.

Through the Endangered Crafts Fund, funding can be used for activities such as: 

• Ensuring the longer-term viability or survival of heritage craft skills by implementing changes that will benefit both environmental and financial sustainability, for example:
  • Investing in more efficient machinery.
  • Developing reduced-carbon routes to market.
  • Exploring the use of alternative materials while maintaining the heritage character of your practice.
• Direct skills transfer, for example:
  • Taking on a trainee.
  • Some or all the costs of training with a craftsperson.
  • The cost of attending a specialist training course.
  • Undertaking a self-directed programme of training with one or more craftspeople.
• Indirect skills transfer, for example:
  • Preparing to teach courses.
  • Developing written or online training materials.
  • Online or video content to support skills.
• Ensuring the longer-term viability or survival of heritage craft skills, for example:
  • Developing a new, innovative approach to heritage craft skills.
  • Specialist tools and equipment to facilitate skills transfer.

In addition to funding, further support is available, including mentor support, business support or signposting to other opportunities.

How To Apply

The deadline for applications is 3 March 2023.

Guidance notes and an online application form are available from the Heritage Crafts Association.