WILLEMSTAD - The project Awa pa Kòrsou (Water for Curaçao) is working on the restoration of the catchment areas of the natural and cultural-historical water system in Curaçao and is included in the so-called Heritage Deal of the Cultural Heritage Agency.
For the first time, a project from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom has been included within the Heritage Deal, which focuses on the freshwater supply in Curaçao. This consists of grubbing and dams and the associated unique monumental ensembles and waterworks in two concrete project areas. In addition, a Living Lab is also being developed, in which the disclosure and sharing of knowledge with and from the local community is central. Attention is also paid to climate-proof water management and professional cooperation. The project has been requested by the Monument Fund Curaçao.
Government agency
The Cultural Heritage Agency is part of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. They work under the direct responsibility of the minister and implement legislation, regulations, and heritage policy that the ministry and the service draw up together. They also develop practically applicable knowledge and provide advice on national monuments, landscapes, living environments, archeology, and movable heritage.
Six new projects have been added to the sixth and final round of the Heritage Deal. A total of 36 projects are now taking part. The Heritage Deal supports appealing examples of places in the Netherlands and now also the Kingdom that are going to change and where heritage will play a significant role.
A total of fourteen projects have been submitted for the current round, six of which have been awarded: Awa pa Kòrsou is one of them.
This involves a total of financial contributions from the government of almost 2.4 million euros. Municipalities and provinces contribute almost 4.4 million. All awarded projects are good examples for the Heritage Deal and serve as inspiration for the plans of future initiators. This was the final round of the program.
Indispensable
Again, much more was requested than was available in terms of funds. Michiel Scheffer, chairman of the Heritage Deal Steering Group: 'Over the past three years, the program has proven to be indispensable in the context of the transition tasks of climate, sustainability and urban growth and shrinkage. Heritage offers real opportunities for improving the quality of the living environment and ensures support for large spatial projects.'