Prepare your application on time
Do you own a church building, mill or factory and is it a national monument? Then you may be eligible for the Subsidy for Conservation of National Monuments. Every year from February 1 to March 31 it is possible to apply for the Subsidy Scheme for Conservation of National Monuments (Sim) for national monuments that are not residential buildings. Green and archaeological monuments are also covered by this subsidy scheme. A number of documents are required when submitting an application. It is therefore wise to prepare your application in time and collect all documents in advance.
What is the SIM for?
The conservation subsidy is for regular maintenance costs based on a 6-year maintenance plan. Starting in 2022, the subsidy percentage will be 40% for owners who use their national monument for business purposes. For other owners and Professional Organizations for Monument Preservation (POM), the subsidy rate remains at 60%. Ongoing grant applications will keep the percentage applicable at the time of application (50% or 60%).
What documents are required?
For a digital application, you need DigiD (for private owners) or eHerkenning (for companies). Therefore, make sure you have your login information available well in advance.
Budget Models
The National Heritage Agency adopts new budget models each year. These mandatory models are for the multi-year budget per national monument or per independent component. In the budget model you have to fill in the costs for the different activities.
Inspection Report
An application must also be accompanied by a current inspection report for each national monument or independent element. Current means not older than 2 years and in the case of an archaeological national monument not older than 5 years.
The inspection report describes the current technical condition of the national monument. The report provides insight into the defects, their causes and possible consequences. It contains advice on the work to be carried out in order of urgency and on the deadlines for action. The report must be prepared by an expert.
Application for a built national monument
The award of a preservation grant is tied to the reconstruction value of a built monument. Reconstruction value refers to the cost of completely rebuilding a building - and everything attached to it - with its original construction, materials and detailing. The reconstruction value is important because it determines the subsidy level for a built monument. An appraiser should determine the rebuilding value.
Grant application review
The National Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) evaluates grant applications, awards (or rejects) them and distributes the available budget. The money is paid out in annual advances. Depending on the amount of the grant awarded, the RCE determines the grant after 6 years based on a justification.
The Restoration Fund handles the disbursement of advances and settlement against the final determined grant.
Do you want to submit Sim application and need the rebuilding value of the monument for this purpose? Ask us for advice.