In September 2026, owners can apply for a subsidy for the restoration of their monument. The scheme is opened from 1 up to and including 30 September 2026 and has a non-recurring budget of US$ 1.1 million. The National Restoration Fund is making these funds available. With this pilot, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) gains practical experience for future monument management in the region.
In the European Netherlands there have been subsidy schemes for monument owners for quite some time, but not yet in the Caribbean Netherlands. And that whilst the need for it is considerable on the islands. Owners of monuments in the Caribbean Netherlands are dealing with high maintenance costs due to the island location, scarcity of specialist materials, and high transport costs.
Image: © RCE / Robin Ammerlaan
The Harry L. Johnson Museum on Saba, located in a former residence dating from around 1840.
Large maintenance and restoration
The subsidy scheme is implemented by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE). The scheme focuses on private owners of residential monuments that are in need of (large) maintenance or restoration on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.
The preservation costs eligible for subsidy must exceed US$ 25,000 and are subsidised up to US$100,000.
Monuments (historical buildings older than 50 years) without protected status are also eligible for subsidy. It regards buildings that are of general importance due to their beauty, artistic value, or historical meaning.
More information and application form
The scheme is opened from 1 up to and including 30 September 2026. It is only possible to apply for subsidy during this period. More information can be found on the page Subsidy scheme preservation monumental residences Caribbean Netherlands 2026.
This information is also available in Dutch.