pioneer heritage awards

 

The Pioneer Heritage Awards provide up to £10,000 (average £7,000) and support for organisations to deliver ambitious heritage projects that preserve and promote Bradford District diverse histories, cultures and traditions. The programme prioritises projects that have the potential to continue after the Award period.

about this award 

Only organisations may apply for this Award.
If you are not an organisation with a legal structure or you are applying as an individual you are ineligible for this award and your application will be rejected. Organisations may only apply for one award from this programme.

This Award supports organisations to explore, celebrate, protect and share the heritage of Bradford District. Funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, awards of up to £10,000 (anticipated average £7,000) will enable organisations to bring living heritage to life through memories, traditions, migration stories, language, faith, creativity, archives, nature and local histories. The programme prioritises inclusive projects that engage people who traditionally have limited access to heritage, build skills and confidence, encourage participation in heritage and create positive change.

We are particularly interested in projects that have the potential to grow beyond The Leap’s initial support and contribute to a stronger, more connected heritage sector across Bradford District. Through one-to-one support, evaluation resources, peer learning and connections with others in the heritage sector, Award recipients will have opportunities to learn, reflect and build relationships that can support their future development. 

Sustainability does not necessarily mean continuing the same project indefinitely. It could mean creating something that can be repeated, adapted, shared with others, embedded within an organisation or community, or used as a foundation for a new idea. We want to see how your project could create a lasting legacy leaving behind greater skills, confidence, community ownership, stronger connections and new possibilities for Bradford’s living heritage.

Projects should include how activities can be planned and delivered in environmentally responsible ways. Environmental sustainability does not need to be a separate activity within your project. We encourage organisations to consider how sustainable approaches can be embedded throughout the planning and delivery of their work, while remaining appropriate to heritage.

project characteristics

  • Heritage should be the central focus of the project.

  • The project must focus on heritage within the Bradford district.

  • The project must benefit people living in the Bradford district.

  • Projects must clearly evidence ambition and potential to go beyond The Leap support.

  • Projects should embed environmentally friendly and conscious decisions into delivery. To learn more about environmental sustainability and good practice click here: Environmental sustainability good practice guidance | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

  • Good industry standards and best practice around heritage projects as per the Heritage Lottery Funds guidance can be found here: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/good-practice-guidance

  • The project must involve and have support from the people that your work or activities aim to benefit.

  • The project must be well planned and budgeted.

  • The project must be delivered by March 31st 2028

criteria and eligibility

For full details of this programme please download the Criteria and Eligibility document here ↗ 

As well as details of the programme this document also contains the application timeline.  

how to apply

Applications will only be accepted via this link: xxxxx

The form will not accept input from more than one device; if you are working with other people on your application, you may find it easier to work from Microsoft Word and then copy and paste your answers into the form at the link above.  

You will find a pro-forma of the application form here xxxx

Your application must be submitted by XXXXXX

If you have any other queries, please get in touch: daanyaal@the-leap.org.uk

The Leap