Derbyshire Make History is a new stand-alone 2-year project, set up to compliment the wider 3-year Derbyshire Makes programme, with an exclusive heritage focus, which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to champion and support the heritage sector.
Derbyshire’s heritage of makers and innovators has shaped its landscape and communities. Our primary focus will be Derbyshire’s industrial heritage of making and we’ll explore and celebrate 3 key industries: textiles and knitting, ceramics, and mining (lead, iron ore, coal).
Definition of heritage for Derbyshire Makes History
Heritage can be anything from the past that you value and want to pass on to future generations. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more, ways to connect people and communities to Derbyshire’s heritage.
About the Heritage Grant and aims
Heritage grants are available to Derbyshire-based heritage businesses, museums and community groups, to fund engagement activities, which will:
- engage local communities in making-focussed heritage activities
- tell the stories of Derbyshire’s industrial heritage of making
- raise awareness in heritage craft skills and offer opportunities to engage
- celebrate and continue to upskill the heritage craft and construction skills of staff and volunteers
- contribute to the Heritage Fund investment principles:
- saving heritage
- protecting the environment
- inclusion access and participation
- and organisational sustainability
Activities can take place anywhere, but we’re especially keen to fund activities taking place in or around the 6 main hub towns for the festival period April to May 2026 and 2027 in Bolsover, Chesterfield, Cromford (Hub and Spoke – Matlock and Wirksworth), Glossop, Heanor and Swadlincote.
What the grant can be used for
The grant can be used for:
- events and engagement activities, such as participatory workshops
- materials and activities to help promote understanding, such as interpretation materials
- educational activities, such as webinars or resource packs
- training to build making and heritage craft skills
- creative commissions
The grant won’t cover:
- capital costs
- essential running costs, like statutory obligations, utility bills, wages and salaries, overheads, insurance, tax, basic standard IT (not replacement IT or monthly software subscriptions)
- website domain names and platform costs
- advertising (including radio, vehicle, newspaper, online, social media)
- grants to others
How much you could receive
Grants of £300 to £2,000 are available.
No match funding is required.
Grants will be assessed for eligibility then assessed by a panel of industry specialists.
Eligibility
All applicants must be associated with a Derbyshire heritage organisation (Derby City residents and organisations are not eligible to apply, however collaboration with a county business is accepted).
All applicants must be a registered company, charity, CIC, community group, or sole trader with a dedicated UK bank account.
Be part of the heritage / history sector excluding those with religious links or any industry which could bring the authority into disrepute.
We are unable to fund retrospectively. Therefore funding cannot be for existing projects which have already started.
The applicant meets subsidy control requirements.
Selection process
A small panel will meet to review applications and make decisions. Decisions will be based on the following criteria:
Decisions will be based on the following criteria:
- quality of response – application form answers and how project meets aims (30)
- priority will be given to activity that contributes to or takes place in and around the 6 hub locations (Bolsover, Chesterfield, Cromford (including Wirksworth and Matlock) Glossop, Heanor, Swadlincote during festival period (25)
- spread of activity (geographic and activity type) – the panel wants to ensure a diverse and balanced range of activity (10)
- value for money (10)
- ability to deliver the project on time and within budget (25)
How to apply
Express your interest in a Derbyshire Makes Heritage Grant
All applicants must apply online.
You can apply at any time but please ensure you get your applications in plenty of time before your planned activity as we cannot award funds retrospectively.
Applications will be assessed via a panel. We have set the following deadline dates:
We’ll notify you of our decision within 6 weeks of these deadline dates.
Grant payments and requirements
Grants will be paid:
- 50% upfront payment (if conditions aren’t met we are able to bill you for this via contract clause 34 in the grant funding agreement)
- 50% on project completion subject to monitoring checks
Final grant claim requirements:
- copies of receipts and proof of expenditure
- completed grant claim form
- monitoring report including audience numbers and participants will be required
- evidence of marketing materials showing the use of all funders logos and essential wording
Contact us
If you have any queries email regeneration@derbyshire.gov.uk.
