About the Programme
The National Library of Wales is offering funding of £5,000 each for up to three cultural or heritage project ideas that explore intangible South Asian heritage in Wales. We’re inviting individuals to apply with a project idea that matters to them, shaped through conversations, shared activities, or other ways of involving their community.
“South Asian” includes people and heritage connected to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. South Asian heritage has long contributed to life in Wales, and this programme aims to celebrate the stories, practices, and experiences that communities want to share.
This work is part of Spaces, Places and Belonging, led by The National Archives with partners across the UK.
Why we’re doing this
South Asian heritage has shaped Wales for generations, but it isn’t always visible in national collections or public stories. Through this programme, we want to:
- support individuals to explore aspects of their heritage
- create space for stories and practices that are well known locally
- build stronger relationships between NLW and South Asian communities
- encourage community-led approaches to heritage, identity, and belonging
Legacy and community involvement
This call-out is a starting point. NLW is working with critical friends and an external panel connected to South Asian communities in Wales, both to shape this programme and to review applications. Their involvement helps us build stronger relationships and ensure decisions are guided by community knowledge.
As the commissioned projects develop, we hope to stay connected with the individuals who receive the commissions - learning from the work, continuing the conversation, and understanding how this programme can grow in the future. Over time, we hope this will support greater representation of South Asian heritage in the national collections and help shape future collaboration.
What we mean by Intangible Heritage
Intangible heritage is the living, non-physical side of culture — the things people practise, remember, and pass on. This might include:
- stories and memories
- languages and ways of speaking
- festivals, rituals, and celebrations
- food traditions
- music, dance, poetry, crafts, and oral traditions
- beliefs, values, and shared knowledge
- community histories and experiences of place
What we’re looking for
We welcome project ideas from people connected to South Asian communities in Wales.
Your project should:
- explore an aspect of intangible heritage
- involve meaningful community participation
- be led by you and shaped with your community
- be delivered in any language
Projects can take many forms, such as:
- oral histories or recorded conversations
- community-generated materials like photos, recipes, songs, or maps
- creative or artistic work
- research or reflective work
- digital or experimental approaches
- new or emerging forms of expression
What you’ll receive
Each selected project will receive:
- £5,000 to cover your time and all project costs
- support from NLW’s Community Engagement and Collections teams
- a platform to showcase your project and its impact
What we ask from you
If your project is selected, we’ll ask you to:
- deliver your project within the agreed timeframe
- join a short mid-way check-in
- share a written, audio, or video reflection at the end of the project
Intellectual Property and archiving
Your ideas and creative work remain yours.
NLW would like to archive your project materials so they can be preserved for the future and made accessible to researchers, communities, and future generations - but only with your agreement. We’ll work with you to decide what feels right, including what to share, how it will be stored, and any limits you’d prefer.
Eligibility
To apply, you should:
- apply as an individual
- be based in Wales
- be part of, or working closely with, South Asian communities in Wales
- have the right to work in the UK
- be able to deliver your project between September 2026 and March 2027
Timeline
- Call opens: July 2026
- Deadline for applications: 31st July 2026
- Decisions shared: end of August 2026
- Project delivery: September 2026 - March 2027
How to apply
You can apply in written, audio, or video format - choose whatever feels most comfortable. Your proposal should be no more than 1,500 words (or the equivalent in audio or video).
Please briefly cover:
- who you are and your connection to the community
- what aspect of intangible heritage you want to explore
- how your community will be involved
- what you hope to explore or understand
- any support you might need
- a simple outline of how you’ll use the budget
You can apply in Welsh or English.
If you need this guidance in another language, please get in touch using the details below.
For any questions, or to send your completed application, please email: communities@library.wales