First Aid to Documentary Heritage Under Threat - project grants call

Following a successful first edition in 2017, the Prince Claus Fund, through its Cultural Emergency Response (CER) programme, and the Whiting Foundation, have recently announced a second round in the Open Call for First Aid to Documentary Heritage under Threat. The programme invites proposals for projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean to safeguard documentary heritage that is acutely threatened by recent conflict or other disaster, whether natural or man-made.

Focus

Manuscripts, rare books, archives, tablets, inscriptions, and other kinds of written records are sometimes the only form in which the past survives. Whether they are in monasteries, private libraries or forgotten tombs, they are objects of historical importance and deep local meaning. They are also especially fragile, susceptible to fire, insects, water and humidity – and are sometimes singled out for deliberate destruction by those afraid of their symbolic power. When there is an earthquake, a flood, or an armed attack, the heritage may be lost forever.

Aims of the programme

Through the first round of this call in 2017, CER and Whiting helped stewards around the world to prevent and minimize loss by funding fourteen varied projects. An overwhelming number of applications were received, illustrating a pressing need for support. The second round will continue to facilitate the vital work of restoring physical objects and making the information they carry accessible to a wider public for generations to come. In doing so, they hope to contribute to the appreciation of cultural achievement and historical diversity and foster the worldwide dissemination of forgotten or endangered stories.

ELIGIBILITY

The project must aim to safeguard documentary heritage (i.e., cultural heritage designed to carry information in writing, such as manuscripts, books, archives, tablets, and carvings or inscriptions).
The project must respond to an emergency situation, which is to an acute current or impending, disaster, for example by evacuation, restoration and digitalization. Cases only of long term neglect are not eligible.
The country where the intervention is to take place must be in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and the applying organisation or individual must live and work in one of these regions
Grants will average about €15,000.
Grant funds can only cover project-related expenses, not running (operating) costs for organisations

See GUIDELINES for full information on eligibility and how to apply

The second deadline for applications is 1 December 2018 at 17:00 Amsterdam time (CET). Applications received after the second deadline cannot be considered.

Thanks to ASEMUS