Deadline Date: September 01, 2026
The Heritage Open Days Grant Programme is offering applications to support organisations and businesses in delivering heritage visitor events and activities that celebrate local history, heritage and identity across Harborough District.
The grant focuses on enhancing local heritage activities for wider public participation, supporting heritage visitor events, improving visitor services, strengthening local identity through marketing and promotion, increasing participation in heritage experiences, and generating benefits for the local economy and community.
Standard grant awards are available at £500 per application. In exceptional circumstances, Harborough District Council may award grants of up to £2,000 where sufficient need and justification are demonstrated. No match funding is required, and successful applicants will receive payment upon approval.
Funding is available exclusively for revenue projects associated with heritage events. The grant cannot be used for capital expenditure, including the purchase of long-term assets, equipment, property alterations, or building improvements. Funding must support new projects or new items of expenditure, and claims for costs incurred before submitting an application are not eligible.
Eligible activities include costs associated with hosting a Heritage Open Day during the national campaign in September 2026, marketing and promotional activities such as advertising, website development, social media content, printed materials, and visitor information.
Funding may also support the production of exhibition or display materials, professional photography, venue hire, guest speakers, guides, musicians, creative practitioners, and the hire of event equipment such as chairs, tables, marquees, stages, lighting, sound, and music systems.
Applications that demonstrate significant added value to heritage visitor experiences, support events that may otherwise not take place, or introduce new heritage activities within the district will receive priority consideration. Applicants must ensure that all required permissions, including planning approvals, landlord consent, or building owner permissions, are in place before applying.
Applicants must operate or provide heritage visitor services within Harborough District. Eligible applicants include micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises employing between 1 and 249 staff, as well as community and voluntary organisations that do not employ staff.
The grant is open to sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, community interest companies, social enterprises, local parish councils, and registered charities. Applicants must normally have been operating for at least 12 months before applying, although new or start-up organisations may discuss eligibility with the council prior to submitting an application.
Applicants must self-certify that they meet all eligibility requirements and declare any previous public grants received. Organisations in liquidation, dissolved, struck off, or subject to a striking-off notice are not eligible for funding.
For more information, visit Harborough District Council.
