The Education and Culture Ministry has signed an agreement with the St. Maarten Development Fund to implement nine cultural and heritage projects connected to Sint Maarten’s slavery past.
The programme, named “Future Roots,” will be managed by SMDF in cooperation with the Department of Culture.
Projects include professional development for staff at the museum and SIMARC, the creation of a local-history curriculum, and the remapping and restoration of monuments.
A heritage scholarship programme will also help train local heritage inspectors and managers.
Education and Culture Minister Melissa Gumbs says Sint Maarten received praise for submitting its project plan early and addressing a broad range of cultural priorities.
The first two funding tranches from the Netherlands—totalling 1.9 million US dollars—have been transferred to SMDF.
The Fund will now develop project timelines and deliverables while consulting institutions including the Philipsburg Cultural Center, SIMARC, the museum and Department of Education.
SMDF says the goal is to transform the Ministry’s vision into tangible projects that preserve history and benefit the community.