Shared Cultural Heritage: Partners

The embassies of the Netherlands in the ten partner countries have a budget to support shared heritage projects. In the Netherlands, three Dutch institutes execute the Shared Cultural Heritage programme. These are DutchCulture, centre for international cooperation, the National Archives of the Netherlands and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. Jointly, the Dutch organisations aim to foster local demands in the partner countries and link the individual projects programmatically.

The embassies of the Netherlands in shared heritage partner countries
An embassy can support shared heritage projects in a number of ways:

• Support local shared heritage initiatives. The embassy can financially support a local organisation with a shared heritage project.
• Connecting partners. The embassy can connect you to relevant institutions in the Netherlands.
• Local circumstances. The embassies can help Dutch organisations to better understand local circumstances and adapt their project accordingly.
• Identify opportunities. The embassies can help identify economic and cultural opportunities for local and Dutch organisations. In turn, the embassies can support endeavours that wish to make use of these opportunities.

For funding possibilities by the embassies, click here. For the contact details for the mentioned embassies, click here.

National Archives of the Netherlands 
The National Archives of the Netherlands (Nationaal Archief), which is located in The Hague, holds over 3.5 million records created by central government, organisations and individuals that have been of national significance.

Many records relate to the colonial and trading history of the Netherlands in the period from 1600 to 1975. The Dutch presence in countries in North and South America, Africa and Asia is reflected within these collections.

The goals of the Shared Cultural Heritage programme are as follows:

• The expansion of the National Archives’ international cooperation to stimulate international, interdisciplinary and historical research.
• The digitalisation of the National Archives’ own collection. These collections form an important source, not only for Dutch history, but also for the shared heritage partner countries.
• Access to information is greatly improved by making the relevant collections available online. This will greatly assist coherent research, as despite geographical separation it is possible to connect the archives virtually.
• The digitalisation of archives also increases visibility, which is further underpinned by the National Archive’s national and international public programmes.

Through the exchange of information and ideas, the knowledge of shared heritage will grow, and Shared Cultural Heritage will be supported more broadly. The National Archives also supports Dutch and international heritage professionals and institutions in their efforts to restore, conserve and digitalise their shared heritage archives. If you have any questions, please contact:

National Archives of the Netherlands
Team Shared Cultural Heritage
National Archives website
Telephone: +31 70 331 5528
Contact persons: Johan van Langen or Frans van Dijk 
 

Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands

The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (in Dutch called Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE)) is a department of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands is responsible for managing Dutch heritage, with a focus on built heritage, historical landscapes, archaeology and museum collections. The Agency is focused on the sustainable preservation and conservation of Dutch cultural heritage, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Within the Shared Cultural Heritage programme the Agency offers knowledge and expertise through multilateral trainings and local advice on the following three themes:

• Revitalization of Historical Inner Cities. Inner cities are under great pressure in the majority of shared heritage partner countries. The Netherlands has a lot of experience in integrating heritage conservation within the overall development of cities. Assistance is offered upon request.
• Collection Management and Preservation. The Netherlands take a leading position in conserving and managing museum collections. This expertise is available for the partner countries when requested.
• Maritime Archaeology. The Netherlands have a unique expertise in this field, which is often requested by the partner countries.

Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
Team Shared Cultural Heritage
Cultural Heritage Agency website 
Telephone: +31 33 421 7412
Contact persons: Jinna Smit