The Collections Trust has welcomed the Heritage Lottery Fund’s announcement that they will now accept proposals for projects whose sole or primary focus is digital engagement. The HLF has stated that content produced by funded projects should be made openly available for re-use.
At British Museum this morning the Fund launched its new 5-year HLF Strategic Framework titled “A Lasting Difference for Heritage and People”, which commits annual funding of £375m to heritage initiatives. The Framework will also require projects above £2m to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability through the use of an innovative Carbon Footprint calculator.
Responding to this major announcement at the event, Collections Trust CEO Nick Poole commented: “I congratulate the HLF on a truly visionary Strategic Framework. In embracing digital technology and promoting a culture of open re-use, they are blazing a trail for funding agencies worldwide.
“The Collections Trust works with thousands of heritage organisations to open up their Collections, and we look forward to supporting HLF applicants in preparing their digital funding proposals. I encourage museums, heritage sites and attractions to consider how they can work with us to extend the impact and sustainability of their Collections.”
To coincide with the announcement, Collections Trust has created a new section of its Collections Link website to provide information and resources for HLF applicants wishing to open up their data. This valuable resource will continue to be developed in parallel with the HLF’s own guidance.
Further information is available from http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/programmes/hlf.
