Evaluation of Heritage Action Zones
Client: Historic England
Historic England asked SQW to evaluate Heritage Action Zones (HAZ), an innovative £15.7m programme funded by the agency and its sponsor department, DCMS. HAZ projects were locally-led place-based initiatives which aimed to maximise the effectiveness of Historic England funding, using the historic environment as a catalyst for local economic growth.
Twenty area-based schemes across the country were delivered through local partners, mainly local authorities, over three rounds between 2017 and 2024. We undertook a theory-based evaluation of overall programme arrangements and the value-for-money achieved through these targeted responses to local economic, social and environmental needs and opportunities, including partner engagement and capacity building. The HAZ programme provided the conceptual basis and confidence for delivering the larger High Streets HAZ intervention.
