The province of Drenthe grants a subsidy totaling 1.9 million euros for the restoration, sustainability improvements, and repurposing of various buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence. The funds go to a total of 14 projects in Veenhuizen, Frederiksoord, and Wilhelminaoord.
In 2026, among others, the Ambachtscluster, the Gestichtswachtkazerne, parts of the Maallust complex, and the Slachthuisje will be renovated. The Tourist Information Point (TIP) will get a new landing place in the Ambachtscluster, and the Gestichtswachtkazerne will have space for the establishment of an artists collective for visual arts.
Buildings that are restored and given a suitable new function have a positive impact on the area, explains Deputy Gert-Jan Schuinder. The spatial quality improves, but also the livability and the recreational and tourism sectors receive a boost.
10-year plan for restoration and repurposing and Regional Deal North Drenthe ‘Vitally Connected’
The subsidies are part of the 10-year plan for restoration and repurposing of the UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence 2024-2033. The 10-year plan was developed in collaboration with De Nieuwe Rentmeester, the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid, the municipalities of Noordenveld and Westerveld, and the province of Drenthe. The goal of this plan is to bring the monuments and characteristic buildings in the Dutch UNESCO World Heritage area into good maintenance condition and, where necessary, provide them with a suitable new function. The monuments in the worst condition in terms of maintenance are prioritized for restoration.
In July 2024, the Provincial States decided to make €750,000 available annually from 2024 to 2027 for the 10-year plan for restoration and repurposing of the Colonies of Benevolence. For Veenhuizen, a total of 3 million euros is available until 2029 from the Regional Deal North Drenthe ‘Vitally Connected’. From this budget, €750,000 will be used in 2026 as co-financing for the restoration task in Veenhuizen. This is the first time that funds from the Regional Deal North Drenthe are used for this purpose. The Maatschappij van Weldadigheid can claim €400,000 from existing provincial funds for restoration and sustainability improvements of buildings in Frederiksoord and Wilhelminaoord.
Also in 2024 and 2025, Stichting De Nieuwe Rentmeester Veenhuizen and the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid received subsidies for restoration and repurposing. Currently, the old Horticultural School in Frederiksoord is being repurposed into a boutique hotel.
UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence in the Netherlands
Since 2021, the province of Drenthe has been responsible as ‘siteholder’ for the management and administration of the UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence in the Netherlands. The core task is to protect and promote the unique values of the UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence. This is done through monument care, education, recreation and tourism, spatial development, and cultural activities.