Protection Fund

The Fund finances concrete projects: guarding archaeological sites, digital inventories of collections, equipping conservation laboratories, training customs officers, restitution costs, awareness campaigns. It favours projects that produce a lasting effect and involve communities.

It finances neither an administration's running costs nor purchases of works. It seeks to create local capacity rather than to take the place of States.

Heritage administrations, museums, universities, associations and communities of a Member State may submit a project. Low-income States have priority. Projects must fit the Fund's priorities, present a realistic budget and provide for evaluation.

A selection committee, made up of independent experts, examines applications twice a year. It takes into account urgency, heritage value, the quality of the project and geographical balance.

The Fund is managed by the Heritage Protection Department, under the supervision of a supervisory board of seven members, including two donor representatives. Its accounts are audited every year by an independent firm and published.

Each project gives rise to a progress report, a final report and, three years later, an impact evaluation. The results are open to the public. Donors can follow the use of their contributions.

The projects financed by the Fund are visible: an archaeological site fenced and guarded, an equipped conservation room, a trained class, an object returned to its village. Beneficiaries testify to the concrete effect of this support on their daily lives.

Each year OIMAP organises a meeting with donors, where project leaders present their achievements. This dialogue builds trust and inspires new vocations for support.