Endangered Crafts Fund Project Outline Form

27 March 2025

The Endangered Crafts Fund was set up to ensure that the most at-risk crafts within the UK are given the support they need to thrive. The fund is designed to support solo practitioners and micro-businesses who otherwise could not afford to step back from production in order to tackle an obstacle that is inhibiting their long-term viability.

This fund is aimed primarily at existing craft practitioners.

The project grants offered are up to £2,000 and are entirely funded through donations and charitable trusts. The fund is open to individuals, micro-businesses and community organisations who can demonstrate that they are working to promote the skills and knowledge of crafts that are listed on 2023 edition of the Red List of Endangered Crafts

What will Heritage Crafts fund?

There are a number of routes to supporting craft skills. Applicants can apply for a grant for any amount up to £2,000 which can cover or contribute towards:

Implementing changes that will ensure the longer-term viability or survival of heritage craft skills, for example:

• developing a new, innovative approach to heritage craft skills;
• investing in more efficient equipment or machinery;
• developing new routes to market;
• exploring the use of sustainable alternative materials while maintaining the heritage character of your practice.

Direct and indirect skills transfer, for example:

• taking on a trainee or apprentice;
• preparing to teach courses, including the creation of training materials;
• online or video content to support skills sharing and documentation;
• specialist tools and equipment to facilitate training.

Continuous professional development, for example:

• acquiring the knowledge and skills required to run a successful small business;
• acquiring the advanced craft skills or allied craft skills necessary to make a craft practice more viable, e.g. through a training course or self-directed learning.

What will not be funded?

The grant cannot be used for:

• exhibitions or other awareness raising activities that do not directly address skills;
• general living expenses or ongoing salary costs;
• marketing activities, website development etc.

The deadline for applications is Friday 25 April 2025 at 5pm.  

If you feel that a decision needs to be made more quickly in order to provide emergency support for an endangered craft please email Tess Osman at tess@heritagecrafts.org.uk

Find out more and apply here.