Topic outline

  • General


  • Steps to Sustainability (UK Wide) - Round 2 Applications Open


    • Heritage organisations across the UK are under increasing pressure and financial constraints, with many facing extreme challenges to ensure a stable future.

      With the additional impact of Covid-19, a culture of enterprise to build a sustainable and resilient heritage sector is needed now more than ever.

      Steps to Sustainability, a new National Lottery Heritage Fund programme delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy, will provide a pathway of support to address these challenges. It will help your organisation to be ambitious, forward-thinking and deliver exciting new projects.

      On this 15 month journey, you will learn to look outwards, build stronger partnerships and become more comfortable with the commercial aspects of running a heritage organisation. Learning with a network of peers and sector experts from across the UK, you will turn a new business idea into reality.


      Programme Details

      Click on your region to find out programme details, dates and how to apply


      Programme Benefits

      By taking part, you will have access to:


      Participation Fee
      £50 per person (£100 per organisation if two people are attending)

      View Programme Brochure View the FAQ's View case studies
       

      Great to connect with new people and have so much support and resources. I think it could be transformational for us." Samantha Walker, St Andrews Preservation Trust, Round 1 participant


      Who should apply?

      Small to medium heritage organisations based in England, Northern Irelend, Wales & Scotland who:

      • Have an income-generating idea that is not yet fully formed
      • Need the resources and support this programme offers to pursue this idea 
      • Will release up to two people from your organisation, ideally a trustee and a staff member or volunteer to attend the full programme
      • Can commit to the full programme schedule

      We are seeking to have as wide a range of heritage organisations as possible particpating. In round 2 we are prioritising places for heritage organisations who promote specific sectors:

      Landscapes, Parks & Nature;  Community Heritage; Culture & Memories; Industrial, Maritime and Transport

      If your organisation does not fit into these categories you can still apply.

      In Scotland, we are delivering a programme in Scottish Gaelic language (with bi-lingual resources).  If you are based in Scotland but you are not a Gaelic language speaker, and your organisation falls into the categories above, you can still apply for a place on one of the other programmes.

      See FAQ's for full eligibility criteria and participation requirements.

      Apply by: Friday the 23rd of July 2021

      Click the button below to download the application pack and apply:

      Apply now

      Join a short presentation overview of the programme with Q&A - Friday 25th June 2pm-3pm

      RSVP | stos@socialenterprise.academy

      The project will be led and managed by Social Enterprise Academy Scotland and Social Enterprise Academy Wales (operated by Creating Enterprise CIC in partnership with Wales Co-operative Centre).

      The project will also be supported by sector partners - Association of Independent Museums, Museums Galleries Scotland, Northern Ireland Museums Council and The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales.