To streamline the cooperation with UNESCO, Flanders has created two trust funds: the Flanders UNESCO Science Trust Fund (FUST) and the General Trust Fund (FUT).
The Flemish Department for Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI) contributes to science projects via the FUST that is mainly focused on water management and oceans. These projects also contribute to the fight against climate change. The Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs contributes every two years about 900.000 euro to the FUT with a focus on heritage and Africa.
By supporting projects and activities in Africa, Flanders recognizes and supports the priority position that UNESCO has given to this region. This is in line with Flemish policy and our partnerships with Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa.
In addition, Flanders is committed to the preservation of heritage in all its aspects. Over the years, many projects have been supported that focused on cultural, natural and intangible heritage (rituals, dance, music, …) in Africa, as well as marine heritage worldwide (coral reefs). In addition, Flanders made funds available for World Heritage sites in immediate danger as is the case in Syria (war) and Nepal (earthquake). Through this collaboration with UNESCO, Flanders is committed to protect and safeguard heritage as a means to support development, peace building and cultural diversity.
Between 2000 and 2018 the contributions for both FUT and FUST add up to 33 million euro, making Flanders a very reliable and well-regarded UNESCO donor.
- Grant for the protection of cultural heritage in Ukraine, 2022
- Grant for intangible cultural heritage in education in Namibia and Zimbabwe, 2022
- Grant for Centre of Excellence in Underwater Cultural Heritage for Africa in Mozambique, 2022
- Grant for strengthening the private sector's commitment to the protection of natural World Heritage, 2020
- Grant for UNESCO Klimate program for natural world heritage, 2020
- Grant for protecting UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage in a changing climate, 2019
- Grant for Building Capacity for Protecting Underwater Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development in Africa – training in Mozambique, 2019
- Grant for improving the representation of African natural sites on the World Heritage List, 2019
- Grant for strengthening sub-regional cooperation and national capacities in seven Southern African countries for safeguarding cultural heritage (2018 - 2019)
- Grant for strengthening management & world heritage nomination preparation (2018 - 2019)
- Grant for digital database and website for the Preah Vihear World Heritage Site, 2018
- Grant for the protection of heritage of religious interest in Iraq, 2018
- Grant for safeguarding the Site of Palmyra (2016 - 2018)
- Grant for engaging local communities in the conservation and management of the World Heritage sites in Africa – COMPACT (2017 - 2019)
- Grant for WWI Underwater Cultural Heritage: Exhibit on African and Asian involvement (2014 - 2018)
- Grant for safeguarding the World's Underwater Cultural Heritage - Scientific Conference and Commemorative Event on the Underwater Cultural Heritage of the First World War (2013 - 2016)
- Grant for the application of Ecosystem-driven Marine Spatial Planning, 2015
- Grant for International Scientific Conference: Culture in Armed Conflict, 2016
- Grant for Commemoration of World War I - Peace education, 2014
- Grant to countries in post-conflict and post-disaster situations (Nepal) , 2015
- Grant for expert UNESCO Liaison Office, 2012
- Grant for strengthening subregional cooperation and national capacities in seven southern African countries for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage (2016)
- Grant for strengthening subregional cooperation and national capacities in seven southern African countries for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage (2014)