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
Applications are invited most years in themed bidding rounds. The bidding round for projects starting in 2008 is now closed.

There may be a bidding round towards the end of 2008 for projects starting in April 2009. If you are interested in applying, you are welcome to contact Guy Braithwaite for pre-application advice and/or to have your name added to our mailing list (contact details below.)

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 3130
Email:guy.braithwaite@english-heritage.org.uk