Steps to Sustainability Round 3 applications open

AIM is pleased to be working with Social Enterprise Academy on the third round of Steps to Sustainability

Heritage organisations across the UK are under increasing pressure and financial constraints, with many facing extreme challenges to ensure a stable future. With the additional impact of Covid-19, a culture of enterprise to build a sustainable and resilient heritage sector is needed now more than ever.

We are delighted to be delivering Round 3 of Steps to Sustainability, a National Lottery Heritage Fund programme delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy, which will provide a pathway of support to address these challenges. It will help your organisation to be ambitious, forward-thinking and deliver exciting new projects.

On this 14 month journey, you will learn to look outwards, build stronger partnerships and become more comfortable with the commercial aspects of running a heritage organisation. Learning with a network of peers and sector experts from across the UK, you will turn a new business idea into reality.

This exciting heritage programme was delivered in 2020 and 2021 to 110 learners across the UK. 86% reported an increase in confidence when implementing an income generating idea.

Who is eligible?

We are seeking to have as wide a range of heritage organisations as possible participating. In round 3, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from heritage organisations that promote any of the following sectors: Landscapes, Parks & Nature;  Community Heritage; Culture & Memories; Industrial, Maritime and Transport.

If your organisation does not fall into these heritage types you can still apply.

Small to medium heritage organisations based in Scotland, EnglandWales and Northern Ireland who:

  • Have an income-generating idea that is not yet fully formed
  • Need the resources and support this programme offers to pursue this idea
  • Will release up to two people from your organisation, ideally a trustee and a staff member or volunteer to attend the full programme
  • Can commit to the full programme schedule.

We are interested to hear from you even if you don’t think that you can meet these requirements in full, email stos@socialenterprise.academy to advise us of your particular situation.

How to apply

Application Deadline: Sunday 11 September 2022

Click here for the full programme details>>

Participation Fee: £50 per person (£100 per organisation if two people are attending)

For more details, please contact Rosie Beattie on rosie@socialenterprise.academy  

The project will be led and managed by Social Enterprise Academy Scotland .
Supported by Wales Cwmpas and sector partners – AIM, and working closely with Museums Galleries Scotland, Northern Ireland Museums Council and The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales.