HEART Micro-Grants Fund CLOSED
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CLOSED
We’re inviting Expressions of Interest for projects that care for the Lake District and its cultural heritage.
As a world heritage site, the Lake District matters to the world. It contains special features such as landscapes, buildings, traditions and experiences that show this value in practice.
There are three main reasons that the Lake District is of exceptional significance (also known as its Outstanding Universal Values):
- A landscape of exceptional beauty, shaped by distinctive agro-pastoral practices and local industry
- A landscape which has inspired artistic and literary movements and changed the way we think about and experience landscapes
- A landscape which sparked important developments in the national and international protection of landscapes
Through the HEART project, we’re offering small grants to support community-led action that responds to climate change impacts on these features.
We have £50,000 available, with grants of up to £5,000.
We want to hear from community groups, charities, schools, organisations, businesses informal collectives and individuals, with a clear idea and the energy to make it happen. Projects don’t need to be perfect. They need to be thoughtful, community-driven, and relevant to the Lake District.
What is the HEART project?
HEART (Heritage, Environment and Resilience Together) is a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project led by the Lake District Foundation.
It brings people, communities and organisations together to respond to climate change in the Lake District. The project explores how climate risks are affecting the landscape, heritage and the things that make this place special, and supports practical action to strengthen resilience.
HEART combines research, community insight and storytelling to shape new ways of caring for the Lake District. This includes working with local communities to test solutions on the ground and sharing learning widely.
At its core, HEART is about people and place. It’s about making sure the Lake District remains a thriving, living landscape for future generations.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We’re interested in projects that respond to the impacts of climate change on the “outstanding universal values” of the Lake District.
Projects should balance climate change adaptation with conserving cultural heritage attributes. Types of projects we would like to support include:
- Land management and vegetation resilience
- Water, wetlands and catchment resilience
- Woodland, tree health and historic woodland
- Animal health and biodiversity
- Access, rights of way and recreational features
- Built heritage, farmsteads and cultural features
- Views, landscapes and “spirit of place”
- Community resilience
As well as hands-on work, projects should:
- Build skills, knowledge or confidence within communities
- Celebrate heritage, culture and local identity
- Work towards clear objectives, using methods that can be evaluated
WHO CAN APPLY
We welcome expressions of interest from:
- Community groups and grassroots organisations
- Organisations, registered charities and CICs
- Schools and education groups
- Informal groups or individuals working with a community
- Farmers, land managers and landowners
- Building owners and managers
- Businesses
You don’t need a long track record. If your idea is strong and you have the right support around you, we want to hear from you.
FUNDING DETAILS
Total fund: £50,000
Maximum grant: £5,000
Projects must be ready to start by 1st July 2026 and be able to show some impact by 30th September 2026. Projects must be completed by 31st March 2027
Projects must take place predominately within the Lake District National Park.
WHAT WE CAN FUND
We can support:
- Materials, equipment and delivery costs
- Volunteer expenses
- Community engagement and events
- Training and skill development
- Creative and cultural activity
- Pilot projects or early-stage ideas
WHAT WE CAN’T FUND
We are unlikely to fund:
- Projects that don’t address climate change adaptation in the Lake District
- Work that is already fully funded
- Purely commercial activity
- Ongoing core costs without clear project outcomes
HOW TO APPLY
Start with a short expression of interest.
Tell us:
- What you want to do
- Who it’s for
- Why it matters
- What difference it will make
You can do this in writing or via video or telephone meeting with the LDF team
We’ll review ideas and invite selected applicants to develop a full application with our support.
CONTACT DETAILS
NOW CLOSED
Address Unit 4, Wayfaring House, Murley Moss Business Park, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7RL
HOW WE’LL ASSESS IDEAS
We’ll look for:
- Clear connection to climate change adaptation, while considering cultural heritage
- Community relevance and local benefit
- Inclusion and accessibility
- Feasibility and value for money
- Potential for learning, impact or longer-term change
ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION
We want this fund to be open and accessible to everyone.
We recognise that not everyone has the same experience of applying for funding. We’ve kept the process simple and we’re here to support you. If you need help to develop your idea or submit your expression of interest, we can offer guidance and flexible ways to apply.
This might include support over the phone, alternative formats or adapting the process to meet your needs.
We welcome applications from groups and individuals who are underrepresented in environmental work and from communities who may not have accessed funding before.
TIMELINE
Deadline for EOIs – 13th May 2026
Grant panel meeting – 3rd Jun 2026
Grant offer letters – 17th Jun 2026
Project start date – 1st Jul 2026
Interim report due – 30th Sep 2026
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Successful projects will receive 80% of the grant at the start of the project, and 20% in October 2026 upon receipt of a satisfactory progress report.
