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Q:The SCH has signed guardianship deeds with Din l-Art Ħelwa and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. How is the relationship with these NGOs and how is SCH supporting their work?

A:The Superintendence is legally entrusted to enter into a guardianship deed on behalf of the State. Guardianship deeds are essentially management agreements entered into for a set period of years during which the NGO will be responsible for ensuring the well-being and care of the government-owned cultural heritage property. The scope of a guardianship deed is also to promote the active participation of the community in cultural heritage through voluntary work. As at December 2021 the Superintendence had 19 active guardianship deeds and has a total of 45 requests which are still being processed. The Superintendence recognises the importance of NGOs, especially cultural heritage NGOs, and their role in civil society and therefore strives to have a good working relationship with these NGOs. The Superintendence has also recently issued an expression of interest for all cultural heritage NGOs wishing to enlist in the Cultural Heritage NGOs register, held by the Superintendence.