| In this latest edition of our quarterly newsletter, we share updates on the international work of the Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) of the Netherlands. This issue features news from the International Heritage Cooperation programme, as well as highlights from a range of other international activities. As always, we look forward to your questions and suggestions. |
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| | | The Harry L. Johnson Museum on Saba, located in a former residence dating from around 1840. Image: © R. Ammerlaan, RCE |
| | Private owners of residential
monuments on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, or Saba are invited to apply for subsidies
to cover maintenance and restoration costs. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the
Netherlands (RCE) will administer the program and process all applications.
Applications can be submitted
from September 1 to September 30, 2026. The scheme has a one-time
budget of 1.1 million dollars and serves as a pilot to gather practical
insights for future heritage policy in the region.
There is a strong demand for
financial support on the islands. Owners of monumental residences in the Dutch
Caribbean often face high maintenance costs due to their remote location,
limited availability of specialized materials, and significant transport
expenses. This subsidy program aims to help preserve the unique cultural
heritage of the region for future generations. | |
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| | | Participants during a morning session. Image: © Remco Vermeulen, RCE |
| | Applications are open for the 8th edition of 'Sharing Stories on Contested
Histories’, taking place in the fall. It is a programme for young museum and collection professionals
worldwide.
Join online and on-site sessions in the Netherlands to explore how
museums can critically engage with colonial collections, reflect on their
societal role, and manage contested histories ethically. Collaborate with
peers, share perspectives, and develop practical approaches to heritage
challenges. This unique learning experience is organised by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and the Reinwardt Academie. | |
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| | | Castle of Elmina in Ghana. Image: © L.Tangel, RCE |
| | On the 22nd of July the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) will host an international networking event at its
premises in Amersfoort.
During the event 20 African urban professionals will
share their experiences in heritage management with the Dutch heritage field.
In a range of parallel workshops topical and global issues will be addressed like
climate change and water challenges, urban revitalization and densification,
adaptive re-use and sustainable development, governance and stakeholder
participation. | |
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| | | | An underwater archaeologist measures an object near Curacao. Image: © Cimberly Symister |
| | The Kingdom of the Netherlands extends all the way to
the Caribbean, where the traces of seafarers from all the over the world may
still be found on land and underwater. Think of pre-colonial sites along the
coast, to shipwrecks and lost anchors underwater.
This maritime and underwater
cultural heritage may be lost forever, unless we act now. What do we know
about this heritage? And what can we do to improve its protection? Explore these questions and more on the new MaSS theme page.
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| | | Cement Plant in Indarung in Indonesia. Image: © Jonny Wongso |
| | On April 9, the third and final webinar in our series on the ENCI and Indarung cement plants took place. This session focused on prospects and transformation strategies for both sites. After examining international examples and conservation principles, owners and stakeholders shared their vision for redevelopment.
At the heart of the discussion was a key question: how can these sites evolve into sustainable and socially meaningful spaces? This webinar also laid the groundwork for potential next steps, such as a collaborative workshop, aimed at deepening knowledge exchange and strengthening partnerships. | | |
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| | | Participants in front of the former VOC Fort of Jaffna. Image: © Maurits van Putten, RCE |
| | In late March 2026, the Sri Lanka–Netherlands Collaborative Workshop on
Urban Heritage took place in Jaffna to develop a city Urban Heritage Strategy
(UHS) using Strategic Action Planning. About 25 Sri Lankan professionals from key government institutions participated, building on an online webinar series with lectures, Q&A
sessions, and assignments.
Focusing on Jaffna’s historic grid, teams mapped the
Historic Core Area and proposed heritage strategies. The Central Cultural Fund
is considering follow-up measures, including a potential independent
Implementation Body to support long-term preservation and sustainable
development.
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| | | Participants during a training session. Image: © Vivian van Saaze, RCE |
| | Following
the 'Museum Studies' training series in Suriname (October 2025), the
participants established the Platform for Heritage, Culture, and Collections in
Suriname (PECCS). Inspired by a recommendation from the Cultural Heritage
Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), the platform facilitates a safe and structured
exchange of knowledge and experience among Surinamese museum professionals
regarding culture, heritage, and collection management.
Thirteen participants
joined at the time of its founding. Three training weeks, organised by the RCE, the National Museum Commission of Suriname (NMS), and the Colonial Collections Consortium, covered sustainability, risk management, preventive conservation, and conflicting value systems, with ongoing collaboration with the NMS. | | |
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| | | International Conference 'Fata Morgana' in Ukraine |
| | On April 7–8, an international conference took place in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, focusing on cultural heritage and its role in everyday life.
Daan Lavies represented the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) in a panel discussion titled “What Do We Call Heritage? How to Connect Development, Memory, and Everyday Life?” Speaking online, he highlighted the Dutch approach to heritage conservation, emphasising the importance of adaptive reuse in keeping historic buildings functional and relevant. Representatives from the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine shared examples of post-war reconstruction in Iraq.
The discussion highlighted that involving local communities is crucial in shaping the future of heritage, both in times of peace and conflict. |
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| | | The International Heritage Cooperation programme of the Cultural Heritage Agency of
the Netherlands follows from the International Cultural Policy
Framework of the Dutch government. Other organisations executing the
national International Heritage Cooperation programme are DutchCulture, the
National Archives of the Netherlands, KIEN and the Embassies of the Netherlands
in the partner countries. For more information on their activities, see their
respective websites.
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.jpg?v=20260507161532 "Header BES Subsidy Scheme")
.jpg?v=20260512134821 "Underwater archeologist Curacao")
