Team International Cultural Policy | Heritage

I hold an MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy from Leiden University and the Clingendael Institute. During my bachelor's programme, I focused on cultural studies and the arts. Before joining DutchCulture, I fulfilled positions at various organisations focusing mostly on network and relationship management.

Over the course of history, the Netherlands has left behind many traces and cultural influences worldwide. This past connects the Netherlands with other areas, countries and communities. Preserving and managing this heritage, and making it visible, can be enhanced through international cooperation. The International Heritage Cooperation Program contributes to making these – sometimes painful – histories visible that give context to our current society. DutchCulture contributes to international cooperation by advising and identifying opportunities, but also through the Matching Fund for international heritage cooperation.

Matching Fund
The Matching Fund by the International Heritage Cooperation is intended to support projects that contribute to the visibility of the history that connects the Netherlands with partner and focus countries. We support projects that provide new insights into this past and give previously unheard voices a stage. The objective is that if the general public reads, sees or experiences the results of the project, they learn more about this past. This scheme is intended for projects with one or more partner countries: Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Suriname, Sri Lanka, United States and South Africa (75% of the available funds). In addition, in the policy period 2021-2024, it is also possible to cooperate with the other focus countries of the international cultural policy: Belgium, China, Germany, Egypt, France, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and South Korea (25% of the available funds). Dutch organisations can apply for a minimum amount of € 5,000 and a maximum amount of € 35,000. Each year, € 180,000 is available. There are two application rounds per year: in 2023 the deadlines are March 26th and October 1th.

Travel Expenses Scheme
The Travel Expense Scheme is intended to strengthen International Heritage Cooperation project applications by enabling the Dutch applicant to travel to the respective partner country to meet potential partners and experts and to obtain firsthand knowledge of the local situation. DutchCulture reimburses a one-off economy-class return ticket for a maximum of one person per project. Annually € 20,000 is available.

 I have a background in history, specifically the role of heritage in European nation-building and political cultures. Prior to working at DutchCulture, I worked as a fundraiser and sponsorships manager at the Nederlands Openluchtmuseum. I also co-founded Erfgoed Jong, a network for young heritage enthusiasts. Find the programmes I work on below.

The Europe + Heritage programme supports the Dutch tangible and intangible heritage fields by European cooperation. I do so by giving advice on European financial opportunities, by connecting Dutch and European partners and by sharing information. The Europe + Heritage programme focuses on cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including the Caribbean part) and member states of the EU, the candidate member states (Albania, Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey) and Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Young heritage professionals are encouraged to apply.

Support Grant Scheme
The goal of the Support Grant Scheme is to promote the establishment of contacts with the European heritage sector and the exchange of knowledge between the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. The scheme is meant for heritage professionals and heritage organisations established in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including the Caribbean part), or municipal heritage departments, who wish to strengthen their European network and/or to improve knowledge exchange in the field of heritage between the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. The maximum grant available is €5.000.

Travel Grant Scheme
The Travel Grant Scheme promotes the establishment of contacts with the European heritage sector and the exchange of knowledge regarding heritage between the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. Heritage professionals and heritage organisations established in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including the Caribbean part) can apply to the scheme as well as staff members of heritage departments of Dutch municipalities who wish to travel abroad. The scheme is also open to heritage organisations or municipal councils established in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including the Caribbean part) that wish to invite European heritage professionals to visit the Netherlands. The grant consists of a voucher to cover travel and sustenance expenses to a total of €250. Every year, 80 vouchers are available.

Please inform heritage professionals and organisations in your country that wish to cooperate with a Dutch partner about these programmes, as well as Dutch professionals and organisations that are looking for cooperation with a partner in your country. Please also have them contact us if they have any questions about the cooperation, the above scheme or Dutch or European funding opportunities. As you know, DutchCulture organises international visitors programmes, which are also thematic heritage programmes.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We are looking forward to working with you.

Kind regards,
Anne Maamke Boonstra and Jacomine Hendrikse