Ourlegacyshapesourfuture.
Legacy to Future Funds (LFF) supports organisations across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in turning remembrance, knowledge, culture, and community action into initiatives for the future.
- Aruba
- Bonaire
- Curaçao
- Saba
- Sint Eustatius
- Sint Maarten
In 2022, the Dutch State formally apologized for its role in the history of slavery. Legacy to Future Funds was created as part of the follow-up to those apologies. It recognises that the history of slavery is not only part of the past. Its effects continue to shape communities, identities, opportunities, relationships, and conversations today.
The fund creates space for communities to explore that history, make it visible, strengthen resilience, preserve knowledge, create dialogue, and build initiatives that carry meaning into the future.
What the fund supports
Eligible initiatives must contribute to at least one of four objectives.
Explore categoriesImprove understanding of the continuing effects of the history of slavery and help address their consequences in the present.
Support communities in coming to terms with the history of slavery.
Promote knowledge and awareness of the history of slavery.
Contribute to its recognition and commemoration.
Project forms
- Education
- Oral history
- Cultural & artistic expression
- Dialogue
- Community wellbeing
- Public programmes
- Digital platforms
- Exhibitions
Every proposal must clearly explain how it benefits descendants of enslaved people and their communities.
An equal share for every island.
Of the €200 million Slavery Fund, €100 million goes to the Subsidy Scheme for social initiatives. A third of it, €33 million, is reserved for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and shared equally across the six islands. Each of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten has €5.5 million available for local initiatives.
See application periodsHow the scheme is administered
Legacy to Future Funds is the public identity of the SUMS-C subsidy scheme.
Visit UVB PortalSUMS-C
Subsidy schemeThe formal scheme funding social initiatives connected to the transatlantic slavery past.
BZK
CommissionerThe Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations commissions the scheme.
UVB
AdministratorUitvoering Van Beleid, part of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW), administers the formal subsidy process, including applications, assessment, payments, and accountability.
LFF
Public identityLegacy to Future Funds makes the scheme accessible through communication, information, community outreach, and support for potential applicants.
The past cannot be changed.What we understand, preserve, share, and build from it can.
Across the six islands, organisations are creating new ways to remember, learn, connect, heal, and move forward. Your initiative could be part of that future.