Heritage Crafts: Endangered Crafts Fund

Overview

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.

• 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 2025 edition of the Red List of Endangered Crafts     

Heritage Crafts published the fifth edition of its groundbreaking Red List of Endangered Crafts in May 2025, the first research of its kind to rank the UK’s traditional crafts by the likelihood that they will survive into the next generation. 

The report assessed 285 crafts to ascertain those which are at greatest risk of disappearing, of which five were classified as extinct, 93 as ‘endangered’ and a further 72 as ‘critically endangered’. As a result of this alarming threat to our cultural heritage, Heritage Crafts set up its Endangered Crafts Fund in 2019 and 79 grants have been awarded nationally in that time.

Applications may, for example, include:

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 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.

In addition to the funding you will receive support from the Grants and Awards Officer and rest of the Heritage Crafts team to ensure that your project is a success. This will be unique to your project but it could include mentoring support, business support or signposting to other opportunities.