The National Heritage Council (NHC) recognized, as early as 2009, the need for financial resources to support heritage initiatives aimed at protecting, preserving, and promoting South African heritage. Many of the country’s heritage practitioners, whether affiliated with organizations or working independently, have demonstrated a strong commitment to culture and heritage, often without any assistance. This passion has helped to keep various traditional practices, cultural ceremonies, and skills in arts and crafts alive, passing on valuable knowledge to the youth.
The NHC emphasizes the importance of communities taking responsibility and ownership of their heritage. Each year, the NHC opens applications for funding, including administering the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) as a relief fund for practitioners. All applications are now submitted online, with funding amounts ranging from R50,000 to R1,000,000. Projects funded by the NHC have the capacity to create about 45 jobs, depending on their scale.
The NHC provides funding to community-driven initiatives that would not typically have access to loans from financial institutions. This funding is primarily to help establish projects with the potential for long-term sustainability or to attract future funding from other donors. Beyond financial support, the NHC equips project leaders with essential skills in project management, administration, reporting, and accountability, ensuring a greater chance of success and future funding.
For more information, applicants can visit the funding page of the NHC’s website.
NHC: Empowering communities to preserve the past and build the future!
