INTO and the Helen Hamlyn Trust
Building a global heritage movement
As the Capacity Building for the National Trust Ideal project comes to a close, we are taking a moment to reflect on what six years of partnership with the Helen Hamlyn Trust have made possible.
When the project began in 2019, INTO was a small but determined team with big ambitions and limited resources. The HHT’s investment has enabled us to achieve far more than we could have imagined: growing our team; strengthening heritage organisations; developing leaders and creating opportunities for collaboration across borders.
Through small grants, leadership development and international collaboration, this partnership has helped create a more connected, capable and influential global heritage movement. We are deeply grateful to the Helen Hamlyn Trust for their support, confidence and continued encouragement throughout this journey.
Since 2019, key achievements include:
120+
TAP INTO grants delivered
106
member organisations worldwide
>£3m
in additional funding leveraged
1,200%
growth in global communications
A transformational partnership
The Helen Hamlyn Trust’s support has helped INTO evolve from a convening network into an organisation that delivers practical support across the global heritage sector.
At the heart of this transformation has been investment in people. In particular, funding the Deputy Secretary-General role has increased our capacity to develop programmes and forge strategic partnerships. We were delighted to appoint Alex Lamont Bishop to the role in March 2019 and have benefited enormously from his leadership, energy and commitment ever since.
The Trust’s commitment has also been catalytic in the truest sense, providing the confidence and foundation needed for INTO to attract further investment from other funders and partners, multiplying the impact and reach of the grant.
This approach reflects Lady Hamlyn’s belief that lasting change comes through practical support and investment in people.
Through INTO’s programmes, our members can access new skills and expand their networks, which in turn strengthens their ability to care for places and serve communities. The result is a lasting legacy of stronger organisations and more effective heritage leadership around the world.
Alex Lamont Bishop speaking at an outreach event in London
What we delivered
TAP INTO: Small grants, global impact
At the heart of the partnership is TAP INTO, a programme of small but catalytic grants supporting knowledge exchange and practical collaboration.
- 120+ grants delivered since 2019
- Supporting organisations across five continents
- Enabling work in conservation, visitor experience, fundraising and community engagement
- In the most recent phase alone (2022–2025), 57 grants were delivered
INTO Heritage Leaders: Building the next generation
The Heritage Leaders programme has created a global network of skilled and confident heritage professionals. Some have gone on to be part of other programmes, including our vibrant communities of practice.
- 80+ leaders trained
- Participants from 30+ countries
- 100% recommendation rate
- The programme combines training, peer learning and reflection, helping individuals and organisations grow together
INTO Incubator: Turning ambition into action
The Incubator supports organisations to develop sustainably and take the next step in their journey. Delivered across regions including the Caribbean, Europe and island contexts, the programme has:
- Built organisational confidence and resilience
- Created lasting international partnerships
- Supported strategic growth in emerging Trusts
- Grown into an ongoing successful collaboration with Europa Nostra
From local action to global impact
The partnership has also enabled INTO to deliver ambitious international projects and strengthen its role as a global leader in heritage.
Flagship projects include:
- Withstanding Change – supporting climate resilience across heritage sites in Africa and the Middle East
- Tsiskarauli Tower restoration – demonstrating how heritage can support recovery and resilience
- International exchange programmes and toolkits – improving access, inclusion and professional practice
Together, these projects demonstrate how heritage can strengthen resilience, support communities and address global challenges through practical action on the ground.
A selection of INTO projects enabled through the partnership
Growing a global movement
The INTO network has grown significantly through this partnership, now including more than 100 organisations across over 70 countries and territories.
The partnership has enabled INTO to support the emergence of new National Trusts while helping established organisations balance conservation, community engagement and financial sustainability.
As the network has grown, so too has the collective voice of the global heritage movement. The credibility and capacity created through the Helen Hamlyn Trust partnership have helped position INTO as a trusted voice within the international heritage sector. We now play a leading role in international heritage advocacy:
- Participation in global forums including UN climate conferences (COP)
- International media coverage and sector recognition
- Convening major international conferences in Bermuda (2019), Dundee (2022) and Jordan (2024)
Through these platforms, INTO connects practice, policy and storytelling, raising the profile of heritage globally.
What we’ve learned together
The partnership has demonstrated that:
- Small, targeted interventions can have catalytic impact
- Peer learning and collaboration are highly valued
- Leadership development is critical to organisational growth
- Investment in capacity unlocks wider funding and impact
These insights continue to shape INTO’s work and future programmes.
The 'We are INTO' film recorded during the INTO Incubator and supported by the Helen Hamlyn Trust
Acknowledgement
Over the past six years, the Helen Hamlyn Trust has been far more than a funder. The Trust has been a trusted partner, providing the confidence, encouragement and investment needed to turn ambition into action. The impact of that support will continue to be felt for many years to come.
Further reading
Mid-term impact report (2022)
Over the course of this partnership, several progress reports have documented the impact of the Capacity Building for the National Trust Ideal project
TAP INTO- Now we are 3 (2022)
An impact report on the first three years of TAP INTO