The National Landscapes Association submission to the Department for Culture, Media & Sport's call for evidence on National Lottery Good Causes.
Over the past 30 years, National Lottery funding, particularly through the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), has been one of the most significant funders of National Landscape work outside agri-environment schemes. It has enabled larger, longer-term and better-planned projects, expanded the capacity of our teams and built partnerships that tackle the nature crisis at scale. Beyond directly funding vital projects across our National Landscapes, NLHF money enables us to attract investment from other partners to scale our offer and maximise impact. The £2.3 million awarded to the Tamar Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme, for example, brought total match-funding commitments to £3.2 million.
Key points:
- Recognise natural heritage - The consultation does not explicitly mention nature and landscape as "natural heritage". We are concerned this could be overlooked in a traditional view of heritage.
- Make applications proportionate- Our experience is that the process, while supportive, demands a disproportionate investment of time from small teams. A development or delivery phase application can take 20 or more days, and the same two-level structure applies to £300,000 and £3 million projects alike. We propose up to three or four graduated levels.
- Tailor guidance to landscape and nature projects - Current forms and guidance assume a single site, a single owner and built or cultural heritage. Landscape-scale projects span many owners and need upfront flexibility, not retrofitting.
- Explain the process clearly - Applicants need clearer guidance on the development and delivery phases and on the Community Grant Fund, through tools such as webinars, flowcharts and infographics. Applicants should not need to hire consultants to succeed.
- Keep decisions merit-based - We support the current panel system and are wary of models that reward the loudest voice, or the biggest social media campaign, over the strength of a project.
- Fund innovation - Project-related research, developed with research institutions, would help trial new approaches to complex challenges such as high nature value farming.
- Communicate with local teams - When Lottery money is invested in a National Landscape, the local team should be told. We are happy to help make those introductions.
In conclusion:
The National Lottery, primarily through National Lottery Heritage Fund, has an essential role in nature restoration and in helping government meet its national and international nature targets. We want that role to continue, and to be easier for small, capable teams to access.
