Expert Centre Restitution 

In the Netherlands, individual families or countries of origin can reclaim objects that are suspected to have been involuntarily removed or to have changed hands as a result of the Nazi regime or colonialism. This often concerns paintings, jewellery or other cultural objects. At the request of the  Restitution Committee, the Committee Colonial Collections or the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the ECR can conduct an independent investigation into the facts of the case. 

In addition, the ECR conducts in-depth scholarly research on looted art and expropriation,  problematic collections and international restitution practices. This is done in partnership with museums, archives, universities and international partners. The ECR also makes an active contribution to education and knowledge-sharing, for example within the dual Master’s programme on  Looted Objects and Restitution at the University of Amsterdam, which allows students to specialise in research on looting and restitution.