Minister Bruins (Education, Culture and Science): “In a rapidly changing world, monuments provide connection and a shared past. Monuments are tangible history that is part of our national identity. As a government, we support owners in caring for these monuments, but especially for the large national monuments, the challenge for maintenance and costs is significant. With this package of loans and subsidies, we now offer a solution for many monument owners. The preservation of these monuments ensures that we continue to recognize the Netherlands.’’

Keeping a monument in good condition is expensive and the pressure on available resources for monument care is high. Especially for owners of large national monuments, it is difficult to obtain a loan or subsidy for restoration or maintenance.

The measures the minister is taking largely involve deploying resources that would be available for monument care more intelligently. This can be done by adjusting the funding system within the accounting possibilities. The House of Representatives has also made extra money available for the maintenance of large church buildings. With these funds, the maintenance scheme for non-residential national monuments will be increased. Additionally, the loan options for restoration, maintenance, and sustainability will be expanded. The focus remains on promoting planned maintenance to prevent expensive restorations and irreparable decay.

In cases of large-scale deferred maintenance, it is necessary to restore monuments. Examples of current large restoration tasks include the Rivièrahal of Diergaarde Blijdorp, Castle Nijenrode in Breukelen, the town hall of Middelburg, and the nearly completed aquarium of Artis.

These restorations are complex, take a long time, and require customization. Within the current funding system, these monument owners often miss out. Due to the redistribution from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, an additional €100 million will be made available for large monuments. €45 million of this will go to a national subsidy scheme for the restoration of large monuments, €45 million will be available for an extra loan option for large monuments through the National Restoration Fund (NRF), and the existing loan option for restoration will be increased by €10 million.

For the ongoing maintenance of non-residential national monuments, owners can receive a subsidy. This includes, for example, painting historical components or repairing masonry and joint work. Until now, more owners have needed a contribution than there was money available. As a solution, an additional €15.8 million per year for maintenance will now be provided, resulting in a total of €103 million per year being available. This will allow more monuments to be maintained. The expectation is that the oversubscription in the scheme will be resolved by 2027 or 2028.

Of the increase of €15.8 million, €5 million is earmarked for large church buildings, which follows from the Bontenbal amendment. This ensures that these special buildings remain well maintained.

Within monument care, windmills hold a special position due to faster wear from moving parts. To allow the windmills to operate safely, ongoing maintenance is necessary, and parts must be replaced regularly. The maintenance scheme for windmills consists of a fixed maximum amount that, to compensate for inflation, will increase from €72,500 to €95,000.

Other measures announced by the minister in his letter include the increase of the Sustainable Monument Loan (DML+) by a total of €50 million. He does this together with the Minister of VRO. The Future Religious Heritage program will also be extended by 4 years. Finally, both the Windmill Fund and the Farm Fund will receive a one-time subsidy of €2.5 million.