Finalists for the 2024 Heritage Volunteers Prize Announced. Vote Now!

“Biba nos Herencia”  (Long Live Heritage)  Represents the Caribbean Netherlands

On December 13, 2024, Minister Eppo Bruins of Education, Culture, and Science will present the 2024 Heritage Volunteers Prize. From no less than 76 entries, twelve finalists have been selected—one from each province. The selected volunteer teams will compete for the highly coveted prize of €10,000. The public can vote for their favorite until November 30, 2024.

About the Finalists

During the nomination period, entries were received from all Dutch provinces (with the exception of Groningen) as well as from the Caribbean Netherlands. In collaboration with Stichting OPEN (Consultation of Provincial Heritage Institutions Netherlands), one finalist was chosen per province. The finalists competing for the title are:

• Zeeland: Museum Culture Forum Aardenburg
• Caribbean Netherlands: Long Live Heritage
• Friesland: Team Klompenmakerij van De Sûkerei
• Drenthe: Oil and Corn Mill Woldzigt
• Gelderland: Fort Pannerden
• Flevoland: Polder Pioneers Zeewolde
• Limburg: Working Group ‘Mining Heritage Staatsmijn Maurits’
• North Brabant: Heritage Group Cultural Heritage Preservation Southwest Region
• North Holland: Volendam Museum
• Overijssel: Historical Association Wijhe
• Utrecht: Archeolab Museum Hoge Woerd
• South Holland: Open-Air Museum De Duinhuisjes

Finalist “Long Live Heritage” from the Caribbean Netherlands

The Monuments Fund Aruba oversees the restoration, maintenance, and management of protected monuments in Aruba. Their project “Long Live Heritage” celebrates the preservation of Aruban heritage. Through workshops and events, volunteers share their passion. Photography contests highlight heritage, with around 20 heritage enthusiasts gathering monthly to work with photo coaches and storytellers to uncover stories. These personal stories and thousands of photos are shared on Instagram and will ultimately be displayed in a traveling exhibition, alongside a publication. In this way, Aruba’s culture and history are made accessible to a broad audience and an international community.

Voting

The public can vote for the finalists starting today via www.erfgoedvrijwilligersprijs.nl/stemmen. Here, videos are available in which all volunteer teams introduce themselves. Voting is open until November 30, 2024. The public vote counts for 50%. In early December, an independent jury, led by jury chair Ingrid van Engelshoven (former Minister of Education, Culture, and Science), will meet to select their top 3 from the finalists. The jury’s vote counts for the remaining 50%.

Award Ceremony on December 13

On Friday, December 13, 2024, the award ceremony will take place at the Royal Theater in The Hague. During this event, the winner, who will receive a €10,000 check, will be announced. Half of this amount is freely spendable, for example, on team activities, while the other half is intended to promote knowledge sharing within volunteer work. Additionally, the teams in second and third place will each receive a €5,000 check, also divided for personal spending and knowledge sharing. The ceremony will have an extra festive atmosphere with the presence of Open Monuments Day ambassador Janny van der Heijden. She will host the event and guide the audience through the stories behind the finalists. The event is open to everyone who registers for a free ticket in advance via the website (first-come, first-served).

The Heritage Volunteers Prize

The Heritage Volunteers Prize was established in 2020 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science as a gesture of appreciation for the many volunteers who dedicate themselves to the heritage sector. Minister Bruins (Education, Culture, and Science) said, “Thousands of volunteers dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to Dutch heritage. It’s wonderful that they connect the past with the present and future of their surroundings, and that vibrant communities are built and maintained around monuments, crafts, museums, and other heritage. I find it very important that these volunteers receive the honor they deserve with an award.”

About the Netherlands Monument Land

The Heritage Volunteers Prize is organized by the Netherlands Monument Land Foundation. This foundation connects monuments with the daily lives of all Dutch people. By organizing and facilitating encounters between monument owners, heritage professionals, the public, and monuments, the monuments are fully experienced, reappreciated, and cherished. This way, the foundation creates cultural awareness and broadens the support for preserving monuments. The Netherlands Monument Land organizes, among other events, the Friends Lottery Open Monuments Day, the Open Monuments Classroom Day, the National Monument Congress, and the Heritage Volunteers Prize.