November 2025
The Board of Cultural Heritage without Borders Sweden has to inform that a process has been initiated in order to dissolve the Swedish foundation. The Board has unanimously decided to proceed with dissolution. This difficult decision was made after careful consideration. The foundation’s funds are running out, and in recent years the possibilities of obtaining new financial resources for the foundation’s work have essentially ceased. The dissolution will be done in accordance with the foundation’s statutes and applicable regulations.
Background
The foundation Cultural Heritage without Borders was established in Sweden as a response to the wars in the Balkans. The purpose of the foundation was to “promote the preservation of cultural property in areas affected by conflict…”. The foundation channelled Swedish aid to the Balkans and established operations on site. These efforts were successful, and the local offices were transformed into independent foundations. Cultural Heritage without Borders (CHwB) today consists of four foundations in Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania.
After the operations in the Balkans became independent and the Swedish office was closed, the grants received by the Swedish CHwB have been insufficient to cover administrative costs or to rebuild an office for international cultural heritage projects. In recent years, the members of the Board have, on a voluntary basis, managed both administration and the implementation of aid projects, all to reduce costs. Nevertheless, the foundation runs a deficit every year, and its capital continues to decrease.
At the same time, the Swedish government has reoriented its development cooperation policy. Among other things, they now require Swedish organisations to cover at least 15 percent of each project’s budget through self-financing, something the Swedish CHwB is unable to do. The government also seeks to minimize the number of intermediaries. This may be positive for the independent Balkan foundations, which can now apply directly for funding for specific projects, but it greatly complicates the ability of the Swedish CHwB to build capacity and resources to promote and support international work.
Cultural Heritage in Crisis and War
After 30 years, Swedish Cultural Heritage without Borders have to close at a time when the need for international work with cultural heritage in crisis and war zones is more needed than never. In Ukraine, cultural heritage and Ukrainian identity are explicit targets of Russian aggression. In collaboration with the Maidan Museum in Kyiv, and international organizations, we support, during this final year of activity, an internationally significant development of methods for documenting war crimes against cultural heritage, for use in legal proceedings.
The Dissolution
The Swedish foundation will not apply for grants or receive donations. Contracts and other commitments are being phased out. The project in Ukraine will be completed and reported to the sponsor the Swedish Institute. The remaining funds will be used in accordance with the statutes. Thereafter, the Board will make a final decision to dissolve the foundation.
Finally, the board would like to express gratitude for the collaborations over the years and for all the ways so many have contributed to safeguard cultural heritage. Our work could not have been carried out without the support of our partners and the wider community.