Open Call for Applications: The Headley SEE Cultural Heritage Fund

The Headley SEE Cultural Heritage Fund (the Fund) was established in February 2024 following the success of the Headley Small Grants Scheme. The Fund aims to extend their support for the cultural heritage of South East Europe (SEE) and to ensure their grants meet the needs of local people and the heritage sector. The Fund is administered by the Balkan Museum Network and funded by the Headley Trust UK.

They are seeking innovative and impactful projects that align with their areas of support and contribute towards their cross-sectoral themes.

Focus Areas

• They invite projects that address one or more of the following areas:
  • Conservation and documentation of heritage, including ecclesiastical and vernacular architecture, archaeology, and cultural artefacts.
  • Raising awareness about cultural heritage issues, including importance of its protection, conservation, improving legal frameworks, increasing funding, improving public engagement and policy improvements.
  • Supporting the capacity of new heritage NGOs through network infrastructure, training, networking, and innovation.
  • Training the next generation of conservation and heritage professionals via on-site courses, workshops, regional visits, and similar activities.
  • Engaging young people in their heritage through interpretation, accessibility, and inclusion.
  • Engaging with the community on heritage-related initiatives.
• Considering cross-sectorial themes like gender equality, climate action, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), increasing accessibility and improvements for the marginalized communities will be looked on favourably.

Funding Information

• Projects should last up to 12 months for small projects and up to 18 months for large projects.
  • The budget for small projects is up to 5.000 EUR.
  • The budget for large projects is up to 10.000 EUR.
  • Total fund for this call is 34.000 EUR.
• The Fund will cover 100% of the project costs, including core costs such as staff, office costs, infrastructure, expertise and similar. However, the ability to contribute towards your own core costs will be looked on favourably. Please note that personal costs of employees of public institutions are not eligible.

What Projects they are looking for?

• Projects that improve the lives of citizens and demonstrate community empowerment.
• Initiatives that contribute to long-term improvements in the heritage sector.
• Projects promoting regional cooperation and understanding.
• Initiatives that will have sector-wide impact and demonstrate effective partnership to improve advocacy.

Eligibility Criteria

• Civil society organizations (associations and foundations).
• Public institutions (museums, libraries, archives, cooperatives, and other cultural heritage institutions).
• Institutions/organisations from the following countries are eligible to apply: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia.
• Priority will be given to locally-led organizations employing local experts.
• Newly registered organizations are also eligible to apply.
• Organizations must operate and be registered within one or more eligible countries.
• Organizations core activities must align with Funds’ areas of support, as proven by the organization’s Statutes.
• Projects must have well-explained and justified challenges, needs, methods, risk assessment, risks mitigation strategy and an evaluation plan.
• All activities must be budgeted.
• Implementation must start in 2024.
• Be designed and implemented in partnership, involving another eligible heritage institution or organisation from eligible countries;
• Show clear evidence of community engagement and participation;
• The applicant must be able to receive the funds in EUR into its bank account;
• Be an original idea (applicant will need to sign a Declaration of Honour)
• Be subject to quality financial reporting – providing copies of the receipts;
• Submit a narrative and financial report at the end of the project