The Initiative was launched in 1990, under the auspices of the Institute of Welsh Affairs at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. It was subsequently registered as an independent Charitable Trust (No. 1048155). From the beginning, its major sponsors have been Sir Julian Hodge (Jane Hodge Foundation) and TSB. Later they were joined by other major sponsors, among them HSBC, McDonald's Restaurants Ltd., the Welsh Development Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Assembly for Wales, Western Power Distribution and the Western Mail.

Over the years other sponsors have also provided generous grants and prizes for schools. In 2000, for example, Alcatel sponsored the setting up of the Welsh Heritage Initiative's website; the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Millennium Festival gave a grant to enable the Initiative to organise a Millennium Touring Exhibition of award winning schools' projects at venues throughout Wales and the Initiative became a member of EUSTORY, a network of countries in Europe that organise heritage/history competitions. Representatives of the secondary school that wins the top prize are invited to attend a conference of other EUSTORY contestants sponsored by the Körber Foundation of Germany.

A message of support from HRH The Prince of Wales

"I believe that it is vitally important to encourage young people in primary and secondary schools to appreciate the heritage of Wales, to help to conserve it and to contribute, themselves, to the creation of the kind of heritage that future generations may appreciate and enjoy.

I was, therefore, delighted to hear about the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative, which will challenge young people to undertake heritage projects that establish links between schools, families, communities, local organisations and industries.

Heritage is not just a relic of the past. It evolves and involves the continuation of activities of people at their place of education, employment and workshop; in the fields of arts, entertainment and sport and in the pursuit of their hobbies. An awareness of heritage can create an awareness of community and, for young people looking to the future, what could be more appropriate than an understanding of their past."

HRH The Prince of Wales