Introducing The Heritage Fund’s New Delivery Plan for 2026–2029

£1.4 Billion Investment to Support Heritage and Communities Across the UK.

The Heritage Fund has unveiled its ambitious new delivery plan for 2026–2029, setting out how it will invest £1.4 billion in heritage and communities over the next three years. As the second delivery plan under Heritage 2033, the organisation’s 10-year strategy, the plan outlines a renewed commitment to protecting the nation’s heritage while ensuring funding reaches the people and places that need it most.

Building on the progress achieved since 2023, the new plan outlines a series of commitments designed to strengthen heritage, support communities and respond to emerging challenges facing the sector. These include:

• Investing approximately £1.46 billion in heritage between 2026 and 2029.
• Investing more than £130 million in strategic initiatives that address long-term heritage challenges.
• Investing at least £20 million in projects aimed at engaging young people with heritage.
• Deepening investment in the places that need support most.
• Continuing to make around 95% of grant decisions in the nation or area where applicants are based.
• Maintaining funding availability in every local authority across the UK.

The plan follows significant achievements during the first three years of Heritage 2033, during which the Fund supported 1,750 projects with £885 million of investment, launched streamlined grant programmes and committed more than £134 million to 89 grants through strategic initiatives addressing long-term heritage challenges.

Chief Executive Eilish McGuinness said the new delivery plan will help the organisation continue delivering its vision for heritage while ensuring support reaches the communities and organisations that need it most.

The Fund’s vision is for heritage to be “valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future”, with investment guided by four key principles: saving heritage, protecting the environment, inclusion, access and participation, and organisational sustainability.

As the UK’s largest dedicated heritage funder, The National Lottery Heritage Fund will continue its commitment to local decision-making, with staff and committees across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland responsible for approximately 95% of grant decisions.

The 2026–2029 delivery plan also highlights increased support for young people, greater investment in communities requiring additional heritage support, and projects that create volunteering, training and employment opportunities while helping organisations become more resilient in a changing world.

Read the full details on The Heritage Funds website by clicking here.