Heneb – The Trust for Welsh Archaeology is delighted to announce funding of £238,150 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support its transformative project, Building Sustainability and Resilience: Heneb – the Trust for Welsh Archaeology. This two-year initiative, starting in January 2025, is set to strengthen Heneb’s operations, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for archaeology in Wales.
The funding will enable Heneb to enhance its capacity as a newly unified organisation formed from the merger of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts. The project will focus on five key areas:
- Strategic and Operational Planning: Developing a comprehensive five-year strategy to guide Heneb’s growth and heritage preservation efforts.
- Fundraising and Business Development: Diversifying revenue streams and appointing a Business Development Manager to secure financial resilience.
- Digital and Public Engagement: Developing a second phase of a dynamic new website and social media strategy to broaden community involvement and access to archaeology in Wales.
- Volunteer Management: Expanding opportunities for volunteers from diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity in archaeology in Wales.
- Community Outreach: Engaging schools, local groups, and underrepresented communities in archaeological activities, fostering a shared connection to Wales’ history.
This initiative builds on Heneb’s mission to protect Wales’ archaeological sites, preserve the Historic Environment Record (HER), and inspire the next generation of archaeologists. The HER, a cornerstone of Welsh heritage management, supports the assessment of over 20,000 planning applications annually, safeguarding sites from threats such as development and climate change.
Dr. Carol Bell, Chair of Heneb, said:
“This funding comes at an important time for Heneb and Welsh archaeology. 9 months after Heneb was formed from the four heritage Welsh Archaeological Trusts, it enables us to invest in making our operations more sustainable, expand public engagement, and ensure that knowledge of Welsh heritage grows and is protected for future generations . We are immensely grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and everyone who plays the Lottery, for supporting this vital work.”
Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, added:
“It’s hard to think of a more unambiguous link to Wales’ heritage and history than through archaeological discoveries.
So, I’m delighted to award Heneb with this funding which will help the field to thrive for years to come; and the pleasing balance that it is the people, the National lottery players, that are driving this reconnection with our past.”
This funding underscores Heneb’s commitment to heritage preservation, environmental sustainability, and inclusive participation. By leveraging digital tools and fostering community connections, the project will leave a lasting legacy, ensuring the resilience and relevance of Welsh archaeological heritage.
For further information or to get involved in Heneb’s work, please contact us: [email protected]
