KRALENDIJK – Private owners of listed residential buildings on Bonaire will for the first time be able to make use of a new subsidy scheme for maintenance and restoration this summer. A total of 550,000 dollars has been made available for Bonaire as part of a pilot programme for the three BES islands.

The scheme offers owners the opportunity to apply for a contribution of between 25,000 and a maximum of 100,000 dollars for restoration and maintenance work. The application period runs from 1 to 30 September 2026.

Not only officially designated listed buildings are eligible. Owners of historic homes without listed status can also apply under certain conditions. This applies to properties that are more than fifty years old and of special historical, cultural or architectural significance to Bonaire. For this category, a declaration from the Executive Council is required.

The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) will assess the subsidy applications. The agency expects to reach a decision on the submitted applications by the end of February 2027 at the latest.

In addition to the restoration subsidy, the National Restoration Fund is making funds available to help owners prepare their applications. Owners can apply for a reimbursement of up to 5,000 dollars per listed building to cover the costs of drawing up the required structural reports and cost estimates. A total of 52,000 dollars has been set aside for this purpose. Structural advisors will assess in advance whether an application has a sufficient chance of success, so that owners do not incur unnecessary costs.

Owners who ultimately receive a subsidy will then have two years to carry out the work. Restorations that have already begun before a decision on the application has been made are not eligible for subsidy.

Broader approach to historical heritage

The new scheme is part of a broader approach to better preserve the historical heritage of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Many characteristic residential buildings have been in poor condition for years, while restoration is often financially difficult for private owners. With this pilot, the RCE and the National Restoration Fund aim to investigate whether targeted financial support can contribute to the preservation of these buildings.