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Lottery funding can help Highland heritage groups take a big step towards sustainability


By Calum MacLeod

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The new heritage suoport programme will be delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy.
The new heritage suoport programme will be delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy.

Heritage groups in the north of Scotland are being urged to take advantage of a new support programme to help them recover from the challenges of the coronavirus crisis.

Backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Steps to Sustainability programme will provide 60 heritage organisations across the UK with strategic leadership and income-generating skills vital to ensuring their future following the impact of lockdown and other anti-coronavirus restrictions.

The programme will be delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy (Scotland and Wales), which provides transformational learning and development programmes for people and organisations working for social change.

Other sector partners supporting the initiative include Museums Galleries Scotland and the Association of Independent Museumss.

Applications will open this month to members of staff with a high level of influence within heritage organisations. The programme is aimed at those who are in a position to help increase the sustainability of their organisation and lead in a way that helps to generate and diversify their heritage organisation’s income.

All successful organisations will be eligible to apply for seed and match funding grant of up to £10,000 to develop a new income generating idea and incentivise increased trading income during and immediately after the programme.

Neil McLean, chief executive at the Social Enterprise Academy said: “During the Covid-19 response and recovery period, it is now more important than ever to support our museum and heritage sector and the creation of resilient organisations that support local communities. We’re delighted to be collaborating with our sector partners to bring this transformational learning to 120 leaders across the UK.”

Eilish McGuinness, executive director for business delivery, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought with it many uncertainties and challenges, but we are committed to helping the heritage community weather the impact and recover in the future. With our investment in the Social Enterprise Academy’s Steps to Sustainability programme, we aim to ensure that organisations across the UK who work with our all-important heritage are able to unlock their entrepreneurial potential. Through supporting leadership and developing income generation skills, these organisations will become well equipped to face any future challenges that might come their way.”

To register interest and to receive further updates on Steps to Sustainability programme including how to apply for a place, please visit: Steps to Sustainability - event page


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