'History in the Making' Funding For Young People to Celebrate Overlooked Local Histories
From a sightseeing bus tour in Birmingham to a willow sculpture celebrating a Derbyshire river, Historic England has announced new funding for 35 creative, youth-led projects celebrating local history across England.
The History in the Making programme gives under-represented young people the opportunity to explore and celebrate their local hidden histories, finding original ways to commemorate them.
After taking part in History in the Making projects between 2023 and 2025, a survey of the participants said they felt more confident, developed new skills, and learned something new about their local area. They also met new people, and 93% felt motivated to take part in more activities in their local community.
New grantees
Following an open call out in July, Historic England received over 100 applications for the scheme and was guided in the decision-making process by Historic England's Young Advisers. Thirty-five grants of up to £15,000, totalling £514,000, will fund projects over the 18 months starting in October 2026.
These projects will provide new opportunities for young people to discover, engage and connect with their local stories, ensuring the history that matters to them is remembered.
The History in the Making initiative is incredibly unique in that it allows young people to be co-creators and storytellers of how their local histories are presented and preserved. It has been an incredible opportunity to be on the panel selecting the projects and to see heritage connected to creativity by the selected organisations.
Example projects
Examples of projects being funded by Historic England's History in the Making grant programme include:
Pathways to Dance, Blackburn
Young people with learning disabilities will research the history of dance in Blackburn, creating a 'Pathways to Dance' trail in a local park.
The Walls of Sound, Birmingham
Fifteen young people will work with Windrush elders and musicians to explore Birmingham's Caribbean musical heritage and co-create a permanent public mural celebrating the Windrush generation's legacy.
Untold: The Food Stories of Leicester's High Streets, Leicester
A celebration of Leicester's food scene, exploring the relationship between food, immigration and youth culture.
Heritage of Change, Gateshead
Young people will explore overlooked histories of arrival, creating artwork and a permanent place marker celebrating the resilience and cultural contributions of the global majority to the town's heritage.
History isn’t just something we inherit, it is something we continue to create. Through these creative projects, young people can reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and tell the stories that shape their communities. That’s why it’s so rewarding for us to be able to fund another 35 projects this year, giving young people a chance to explore what matters to them.
Through these projects, young people gain new skills and confidence which they carry long after they are completed. Heritage means something different to every community, and this year’s nationwide selection reflects that truly.
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