Evidencing how Heritage Investment Helps Places to Thrive

Wavehill, in partnership with DC Research, worked with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore how heritage funding contributes to thriving places and communities across the UK.

The research examined the Fund’s existing investment portfolio, reviewed evidence on place-based working, and identified opportunities to strengthen how heritage investment supports local regeneration, partnership working and long-term change.

We combined quantitative analysis of more than 22,000 grant applications with a review of national evidence on place-based investment, consultations with 26 external stakeholders, 20 Heritage Fund staff, and a sample of funded projects across the UK. This enabled us to assess how place-based funding was being delivered and identify practical options for future investment approaches.

Impact

Analysis identified 1,386 place-based projects from over 22,400 applications, providing one of the most comprehensive reviews of heritage place-based investment undertaken by the Fund.
The research highlighted the importance of strong partnerships, shared local intelligence and community engagement in achieving successful place-based outcomes.
Evidence suggested that place-based projects attracted higher levels of partnership funding than other heritage projects, underlining the value of collaborative approaches to investment and delivery.
The work proposed a new framework for directing place-based investment, helping the Heritage Fund strengthen its role as an investor, influencer and partner in places.

The research provided the National Lottery Heritage Fund with an evidence base and practical options to inform future approaches to place-based funding, partnership development and strategic investment across the UK.

The report is available to read here.