Derbyshire Makes Creative and Community Grant

Derbyshire Makes History is set up to complement the wider three-year Derbyshire Makes programme, with an exclusive heritage focus, which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to champion and support the heritage sector.

Derbyshire Makes celebrates the past, present and future of making in the county with a variety of county-wide programmes as well as the festival period in the 6 hub towns: Bolsover, Chesterfield, Cromford, Glossop, Heanor and Swadlincote.

This small grant scheme aims to support the creative and community sector to take part in Derbyshire Makes. This could be by hosting events, doing making activities, commissioning new work or projects or just taking part in whichever way you fancy, we're open to lots of ideas.

Aims of the Creative and Community Grant

1. Increase enjoyment, appreciation, and engagement in all types of making.

2. Increase skills in making.

3. Encourage more sustainable approaches to making.

The festival is county-wide so we'll accept applications for activity anywhere in Derbyshire, but we're especially keen to fund work in our 6 hub towns, that we'll be able to showcase during the March to April 2026 and 2027 festival periods.

How much could you receive?

Grants of £300 to £2,000 are available.

No match funding is required.

Grants will be assessed for eligibility then assessed by a panel of industry specialists.

How to apply

All applicants must apply online.

You can apply at any time but applications will be considered in line with the following deadline dates:

1 September 2025

1 November 2025

1 June 2026

1 September 2026

1 November 2026

The grants will be administered by Derbyshire County Council and they will notify you of their decision within 6 weeks of these deadline dates.