The document discusses grassroots support for preserving local heritage in Europe. It describes three traditions - regulatory (France), patronage (Italy), and family/heritage (Britain). In France, the 1996 creation of the Fondation du Patrimoine initiated schemes to provide tax benefits for private owners restoring historical buildings and allocate grants to local authorities and associations for restoration projects that create public spaces. This has led to over 9,000 local fundraising initiatives and support for over 25,000 restoration projects totaling more than 2 billion euros.

1. « Generating grassroots support
for the preservation of our heritage »
Bertrand de Feydeau
Vice-President, Fondation du patrimoine
Madrid – June 25, 2016

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Everywhere in Europe steps have been taken
to ensure the preservation of our national
heritage.
Three main traditions :
- The Régalienne tradition (France)
- The patronage tradition (Italy)
- The heritage and family tradition (Britain)

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But what can be done for our local
heritage ?
- wind and water mills
- communal utility buildings: markets,
wells, laundry facilities
- chapels
- local industrial heritage

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France numbers about 50.000 registered
historical monuments, i.e. 1 to 2 for each
of its 36.000 cities and villages.
Alongside these monuments, 300.000 minor
buildings and artefacts bear witness to our
local history and traditions.

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A heritage that is often neglected and
on the verge of collapse…
…when its preservation could foster
a sense of community at a time when
many feel disenfranchised.

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An original initiative by the French state :
the 1996 creation of Fondation du patrimoine
• Main characteristics
- Initial equity provided by corporates
(both financial and industrial).
- Creation of a network at the region and
departement level.
Today : over 550 volunteers, most of
them former local business leaders.
./…

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Initiation of 2 contribution schemes
1. Regarding buildings and monuments
belonging to private individuals :
a specific tax status, granted by the Fondation
with the agreement of the Architecte des
Bâtiments de France ;
the owner benefits from the same tax
advantage as the owner of a registered
Monument Historique.

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Initiation of 2 contribution schemes
2. Regarding monuments belonging to local
authorities and associations :
the Fondation du patrimoine allocates grants
to projects, provided that an governing body
will be created with the dual purpose of both:
- financing the restauration works and
- entertaining the visiting public.

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• Birth of a true grassroots
movement.
• A reference for European
heritage.

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Visible results
• Grassroots funding alone:
- 9 111 local fundraising initiatives since inception,
1 070 of which in 2015
- Allocation of grants representing between 5 and 30%
of total project, with financing coming from escheated
estates.
• For the whole of Fondation du patrimoine over
20 years:
- Support provided to over 25,000 projects
representing a total of more € 2 Bn of works
conducted

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