Financial situation

 The main financers of the cultural heritage sector are the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, municipalities and the Directorate General of Foundations. For the last 10 to 15 years we have seen an increase in the number of firms and individuals who invest in cultural heritage.

It is possible for the heritage professionals all around the world to work in Turkey. The best example for this is high number of the archaeologists who have been heading for the excavations all around Turkey. As European Union funds encourage the institutions to collaborate with partners in Europe, there are experts from Europe who are involved in cultural heritage projects in Turkey.

Until now there was no distinct cooperation with Dutch organizations. Heritage organizations in the Netherlands, for example archives and museums, did cooperation projects mainly on Turkish migrant groups in the Netherlands focused on themes like diversity, cultural exchange, storytelling and shared history. In Turkey the main institution that brings Dutch and Turkish heritage professionals together is the NIT in Istanbul, mostly by organizing lectures. Knowledge exchange is appreciated, but the lectures are now fragmented. Maybe a more substantial series can be programmed that will also allow students to get study points or those that attend a certificate. It seems essential to involve Turkish and Dutch Universities in any heritage related program for 2012.