Contributions to educational and historical projects on legacy of slavery

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DNB is providing one-off financial contributions to projects to build awareness about the legacy of slavery. So far, contributions have been allocated to projects on Curaçao, Saba and Aruba, and in Suriname and the Netherlands.

Fort Zoutman; herdenkingsplaats Aruba en de slavenhandelsroute — Fort Zoutman op Aruba

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Elisabeth Samson Huis, Suriname — Elisabeth Samson Huis in Suriname

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Slavernij Museum — Nationaal Slavernijmuseum in Nederland

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DNB supports projects with one-off contributions

We are allocating €5 million for one-off contributions to projects aimed at education and the preservation of historical heritage. The projects chosen focus on raising awareness about the historical legacy of slavery among a wide target group. Our aim is to make a financial contribution in each of the seven geographical areas within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and in Suriname. So far, contributions have been made to five projects. It is no longer possible to propose new projects for geographical areas where one-off contributions have already been granted.

Overview of projects honoured

Project descriptions

The Tula Museum is Curaçao’s national museum dedicated to Afro-Curaçaoan heritage. The museum is named after Tula, the leader of the great revolt of enslaved people of 1795. Following renovation, the museum reopened its doors in 2023. DNB made a financial contribution to the renovation work. The museum is part of a larger project in a deprived neighbourhood, in which three museums will portray the historical development of slavery. Read more information about the Tula Museum here.

Allocation: €450,000 (2023)

The 18th-century Fort Zoutman is being restored. The museum explores the theme of Transatlantic slavery and develops educational programmes for schools and civil society organisations, while also illuminating the history of a heroine of the resistance, Virginia Demetricia.

Allocation: €570,000 (2024).

The Saba Heritage Center is focused on the preservation and promotion of Saba’s cultural heritage, including the legacy of slavery. The Heritage Center uses various initiatives to raise awareness, such as a mobile museum and public information points about the past. It also features local resistance heroes.

Allocation: €500,000 (2024).

The Elisabeth Samson House in Paramaribo is a historic building dating from around 1742. The property has fallen into serious disrepair. The Friends of the Elisabeth Samson House foundation has acquired the property, and the aim is to restore and turn it into a museum and centre for dialogue about the era of slavery. It offers educational programmes for schools and more. Read more about the Elisabeth Samson House

Allocation: €500,000 (2023)

The new National Slavery Museum aims to raise awareness among a wide target audience about the historical legacy of slavery, which continues to be felt today. DNB made a financial contribution to an education programme in preparation for this museum, with the aim of gathering ideas from children and teenagers about the importance of the museum and its programming. More than 10,000 children and teens received lessons about Dutch historical links to slavery through the programme, and over 40,000 more young people were reached via social media.

Allocation: €120,000 (2023)

DNB and the legacy of slavery

The history of De Nederlandsche Bank is closely intertwined with slavery, as revealed by an independent scholarly study. DNB apologised in 2022 for its role in the Transatlantic trade in enslaved people. As part of these apologies, DNB has allocated €5 million for one-off contributions to projects aimed at awareness-building and the preservation of historical heritage. In addition, the DNB Fund was set up to provide contributions to local initiatives by descendants of enslaved people. Read more about the study and DNB's apology.

DNB’s historical links to slavery

DNB Fund for small-scale local initiatives

DNB has set up a separate fund in cooperation with the Culture Fund for local initiatives by descendants of enslaved people. These are initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of the historical legacy of slavery on the daily lives of descendants of enslaved people. From 2023 to 2033, DNB will pay €500,000 annually into this fund.

DNB Fund for local initiatives on legacy of slavery

Contributions to educational and historical projects on legacy of slavery

DNB supports projects with one-off contributions

Overview of projects honoured

Project descriptions

Tula Museum on Curaçao

Fort Zoutman on Aruba

Saba Heritage Center on Saba

Elisabeth Samson House in Suriname

National Slavery Museum in the Netherlands

DNB and the legacy of slavery

DNB Fund for small-scale local initiatives