Deadline: 11-Aug-25
The Harborough District Council is accepting applications for Celebrating Local History, Heritage and Identity Grant to enhance existing and new heritage event activities by investment in revenue projects.
Funding Information
- Grants towards heritage event costs will usually be made at £500 per application.
- The Council has discretion to make funding awards by exception upwards from £500 to a maximum of £2000, where the need is sufficiently demonstrated.
Eligible Costs
- Costs related to hosting a Heritage Open Day during the national campaign between 12 21 September 2025.
- Marketing and promotional costs to improve identity such as advertising, website development, social media content, producing new visitor information and printed leaflets.
- Production of new exhibition or display materials, including professional photography.
- Hire of event equipment, including chairs, tables, marquees, stages, light, sound and music systems.
- Venue hire costs and charges for guest speakers, guides and musicians.
Eligibility Criteria
- The grant funding must be used on revenue projects. This means spending on operational business costs, not on lasting assets such as a building or equipment.
- The grants must support new or existing businesses and organisations to develop and improve heritage activities and or promotion of visitor services to increase participation and benefit the local economy and community.
- Grants must be used for business and organisation purposes. They cannot be used for domestic property improvements or for private vehicles.
- Grant applicants will be priortised that demonstrate the greatest added value and difference to heritage visitor experiences.
- The funding must be used for a new project or item of spend. Claims cannot be made for spending already made, before submitting your application.
- All applicants must provide assurances that they have all the necessary permissions, such as planning approvals and freeholder consent in place prior to applying.
- The business or organisation must operate or provide heritage visitors service in Harborough District.
- A micro/small/medium sized enterprise employing between 1 and 249 staff.
- Community and voluntary organisations not employing staff can also apply.
Ineligibility Criteria
- The fund cannot support projects or costs where there is a statutory duty to provide them.
- Applicants that have already received grant payments that equal the maximum permitted levels of government or public subsidy will not be eligible to receive further grant funding.
- For the avoidance of doubt, businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made, are not eligible for funding under this scheme.
- This grant funding cannot be used for capital spending such as purchasing long term fixed assets and equipment or for carrying out alterations to property.
Application Requirements
- The council requires the following information for all applicants:
- Trading name of business/organisation
- Business trading address including postcode
- Unique identifier (preferably Company Reference Number (CRN)) if applicable. If not applicable, VAT Registration Number, Selfassessment/Partnership Number, National Insurance Number, Unique Taxpayer Reference, Registered Charity Number will also be acceptable)
- Nature of business/organisation
- Date established
- Number of employees
- Business rate account number (if applicable)
For more information, visit Harborough District Council.