The Prince Claus Fund was established on 6 September 1996 as a tribute to Prince Claus’s dedication to culture and development. The Fund believes that culture is a basic need and the driver of development.

The Prince Claus Fund supports artists, critical thinkers and cultural organisations in spaces where freedom of cultural expression is restricted by conflict, poverty, repression, marginalisation or taboos. Annually, the Fund grants Prince Claus Awards to individuals and organisations for their outstanding achievements in the field of culture and development. The Fund also  provides first aid to cultural heritage damaged by man-made or natural disaster.

In the past 18 years, the Fund has supported over 2000 cultural initiatives; it has also presented Awards to 205 outstanding cultural achievers and provided cultural emergency aid in more than 221 emergency situations.

Over the years, the Fund has built a diverse global network of excellent people, many of them role models in their own societies. This network of trust and mutual respect is the backbone of the Fund. Local partners and initiatives guide all the Fund’s work, following the conviction of Prince Claus that people are not being developed, but develop themselves.

In the words of HRH Prince Constantijn, Honorary Chairman of the Fund:

“The Prince Claus Fund has sought to support culture and creative expression in people and communities; where these meet with resistance. We used terms like the amnesty for culture; culture as a basic need; giving voice to the unheard in the zones of silence. They are all expressions of the central idea that culture is what makes us human. Development without it cannot be sustainable and is meaningless.” (6 Sept 2011, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Prince Claus Fund)

The Prince Claus Fund is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch Postcode Lottery and individual donations. Many individuals around the world contribute their expertise to the Fund.