Future Preparedness Programme: Climate-Related Environmental Management

Many museums are already feeling the impacts from the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and climate change impacts. These long-term environmental changes mean the sector needs to adapt how we manage and operate buildings and care for collections, whilst supporting communities and educating the public on climate action.

The Future Preparedness Programme is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to design a programme to support museums in the north of England to respond to and prepare for climate disruptions through a series of workshops, bespoke support, events and a funding opportunity.

Across the five different strands of the Programme, participants will gain knowledge to:

• Take a data driven approach to further understanding of managing environmental risks to protect museum sites and maintain collections in perpetuity
• Think about pursuing climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience which can inform the development of a climate action strategy
• Maintain and go beyond Museum Accreditation Standard
• Develop effective emergency plans and skills in salvage of collections following environmental incidents

Strand one: Environmental Risks and Management Workshop Series

The sessions are:

Introductory Session, 10 July 2025, 2-3.30pm   
During this session, delegates will get the opportunity to:

• Introduce themselves, share their priorities, challenges and experiences
• Hear more about the programme and the independent learning we will encourage you to do between sessions

Session 1: Future Preparedness – Climate Impact & Our Museums, 16 July 2025, 2-4pm 
This session will cover:

• How the changing climate is impacting museums
• Current and potential risks and impacts to buildings, estates, collections and operations
• Relevant tools available to understand current and future risks

Session 2: Future Preparedness – Climate Impact Response, 25 September 2025, 2-4pm 
This session will cover:

• How we can mitigate through action
• Explore approaches to mitigating climate change
• Buildings and heritage fabric mitigations and risks

Session 3: Future Preparedness – Process and planning, 16 October 2025, 2-4pm 
This session will cover:

• How we can adapt and plan for our climate futures
• Processes and planning
• Discuss disaster preparedness and business continuity
• Fundraising and advocacy

Session 4: Future Preparedness – Our Future, 13 November 2025, 2-4pm
This session will cover:

• Stakeholder engagement
• Funding and Budget planning
• Planning and prioritisation

When completing your EOI please ensure you explain how this programme will impact on the work of your organisation.

Strand two: Bespoke Advice and Support 
MD North have teamed up with Purcell, an award-winning international practice of architects, masterplanners and heritage consultants, to provide support for museums across the North of England with their Future Preparedness.  This bespoke support offer will provide advice for individual museum organisations on risk management, planning, advocacy and fundraising. This offer is currently available until the end of May 2026.  For more information about how to access this support visit here.

Strand three: Future Preparedness Grants
The aim of the Future Preparedness Grants scheme is to support museums to be able to conduct and commission the necessary research, reports and surveys to inform action plans for future resilience, build evidence for advocacy, and support future planning and funding applications for capital development to improve the long-term sustainability and environmental resilience of existing museum buildings and collections. The Future Preparedness Grant scheme opens for application on 6 October 2025 and closes at 4pm on 6 February 2026.  For more information visit here.

Strand four: Capital Development Network  

As part of MDN’s Future Preparedness programme, the Capital Development Network brings together museum people who are undertaking or planning capital development projects.

These in-person events are an opportunity for the museum sector in the North of England to share learning, get peer support, and hear from a variety of speakers across a range of topics around planning and delivering capital development projects.

Each session will be held at a venue that has undergone capital development projects and focus on current and future climate resilience. Topics covered may include:

• Masterplanning for buildings, collections and grounds
• Risk Assessment and condition surveys
• Collections management planning
• Working with listed buildings
• Working with architects and contractors
• Fundraising and full cost recovery
• Fabric first approach to building resilience, efficiency and performance
• Decarbonisation planning

The first Network event is at Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Burnley on 17 November 2025, 10am to 3.30pm. Booking opens in September.

Strand five: Emergency Preparedness Workshop Series  

In 2026, there will be opportunities to attend Emergency Planning and practical Emergency Salvage training.