Over €1 million extra for preservation and restoration of Frisian heritage
The province of Fryslân, Nationaal Restauratiefonds and a Frisian private fund are together making an additional €1.35 million available for the Cultural Fund for Monuments in Fryslân. From February 2025, owners can again apply for a loan at favorable Requirements from the Restoration Fund for the preservation, restoration and/or repurposing of locally protected monuments in Fryslân.
The Cultural Fund for Monuments Fryslân supports owners of locally protected monuments, such as municipal and iconic buildings. With this we give an impulse to an attractive and livable environment. Over the past 20 years, the fund has provided nearly 6 million euros in low-interest loans in Fryslân. For example, the Suvelfabryk in Ljussens has been given a new destination. The deposit into the fund (€1,000,000 from the province and the matching of €250,000 from the Restoration Fund) is in line with the sustainability and heritage policy of the province of Fryslân.
Eke Folkerts, Commissioner for Heritage for the Province of Fryslân: "By working together with the Culture Fund and the Restoration Fund, we can give owners more financial perspective. This is important for preserving and keeping our heritage alive and at the same time we are contributing to making monuments more sustainable and to the energy transition. It is important that our heritage can keep up with the future. Many beautiful initiatives have moved forward partly because of this fund. We hope that more may follow."
Great interest
Due to the great interest in a loan from the fund, this additional amount for the fund is very welcome. This way we can again support owners of local protected heritage in Fryslân with their plans. In addition, this sustainable form of financing also contributes to the continuity of this fund. Because interest and repayments flow back into the fund, other owners can also be helped with the restoration and preservation of their property.
"Supporting more monument owners financially to make their monument ready for the future. We are committed to this every day. That's why we are pleased with this contribution from the province and a Friesian private fund to the Cultural Fund for Monuments Fryslân. We are proud of this cooperation," said Uğur Özcan, director/administrator of Nationaal Restauratiefonds.
Cultural Fund for Monuments Fryslân
The fund is an initiative of the Cultural Fund and the National Restoration Fund. The province is the largest partner. Owners in the province of Fryslân can apply for the low-interest Culture Fund mortgage from February 2025 from the Restoration Fund. The amount of the mortgage is determined based on the costs determined by the municipality. Interest and repayment are paid back into the monument fund. More information is on the website of the Restoration Fund.
Cathelijne Broers, Director Culture Fund: "This cooperation makes it possible to make a lasting impact with a revolving fund. Thanks to the interest and repayment, we can help more and more owners make their monument future-proof. Locally protected pearls that give the region character deserve this attention, as it happens so beautifully in the province of Fryslân."
