Policy Updates

On November 11, 2024, the Dutch government announced plans to reduce NGO funding by over 70%, cutting the budget from EUR1.4 billion (US$1.5 billion) from 2021-2025 to EUR390-EUR565 million (US$424-$614 million) for 2026-2030.

This EUR1 billion (US$1.1 billion) cut reflects the government’s goal to streamline spending and reduce NGO reliance on public funds.

In a letter, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Klever outlined key changes in the new NGO funding policy framework:

• Higher independence: NGOs must generate at least 50% of income independently (up from 25%) to qualify for grants;
• Local empowerment: focus on local NGOs and grassroots initiatives in low-and middle-income countries while avoiding complex consortiums;
• Priority areas: health (e.g., combating HIV/AIDS, ending FGM), trade (e.g., promoting women’s entrepreneurship), and human rights (e.g., supporting vulnerable groups and female human rights defenders); and
• No lobbying funding: No grants will support lobbying within the Netherlands.

This policy has received criticism from NGOs. For example, Partos, a leading development cooperation network, called the cuts short-sighted and warned of damage to the Netherlands’ reputation as a global leader and the impact on global challenges like poverty, health, and climate action. Rutgers Internation warned the cuts threaten SRHR, particularly for women, girls, and marginalized groups.

The NGO funding cut coincides with broader reductions to Dutch ODA, including EUR3.4 billion (US$3.6 billion) from 2025-2027, and the decoupling of ODA from GNI, resulting in a EUR2 billion (US$2.2 billion) shortfall through 2029.

Parliament began debating the Minister’s budget on November 14, 2024, with a final decision expected on November 20.

On October 4, 2024, CSOs from the Dutch Global Health Alliance, the SRHR platform, and parliamentarians launched the MultiParty Initiative on Global Health and SRHR, which seeks to strengthen the Netherlands’ role in global health leadership.

The initiative’s focus is on pandemic preparedness, AMR, SRHR, and global health infrastructure. The cross-party group includes MPs Sarah Dobbe, Daniëlle Hirsch, and Roelien Kamminga, Ines Kostic, Marieke Koekkoek, Femke Zeedijk-Raeven, and Wieke Paulusma.

On September 17, 2024, the Dutch government announced a EUR3.6 billion (US$3.9 billion) total budget for the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Assistance and saw EUR300 million (US$300 million) in cuts from the 2025 development budget.

The funding cuts, outlined in the May 2024 Coalition agreement, includes reversing planned cuts to the Dutch diplomatic network from 22% to 10%, with the shortfall financed from the development budget. Key areas like water management, food security, and health remain prioritized.

A new sub-article for Foreign Trade consolidates support for Ukraine, allocating EUR252 million (US$274 million) to humanitarian and infrastructure support and EUR60 million (US$65 million) for humanitarian demining in 2025.

Additionally, the new government will no longer tie the development budget to the size of the Dutch economy, ending the practice of allocating 0.7% of GNI, as per OECD guidelines.

On September 13, 2024, the Dutch cabinet published its government program, expanding on the coalition’s government agreement published in May 2024 and confirmed substantial cuts to ODA.

The program referenced development assistance only four times in 138 pages. The program reduced the planned budget cut for embassies and consulates from 22% to 10%, which is expected to be funded by ODA.

The cabinet emphasized prioritizing development areas where the Netherlands has expertise and a vested economic interest, such as water management and food security, with no mention of global health or SRHR. Broader foreign policy focused on migration partnerships and support for Ukraine.

The exact budget lines for 2025 and upcoming years will be released on September 17, 2024.

On September 9, 2024, Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Assistance Reinette Klever announced that the Netherlands will contribute EUR3 million (US$3 million) to the WHO for mpox vaccination campaigns in Africa.

The decision followed Dutch Minister for Health, Welfare, and Sport Fleur Agema’s refusal to send vaccines, citing the need to retain the national stockpile of 100,000 doses.

On September 10, 2024, Agema further explained that other countries are already supplying the 4 million doses required by the WHO, but supported the financial contribution to enhance vaccine transport, testing capacity, and staff training.

On August 29, 2024, Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sport Fleur Agema announced that the Netherlands will not donate vaccines to combat the mpox virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries.

Despite the WHO’s call for international support after declaring the outbreak of an international public health emergency on August 14, 2024, the Netherlands will retain its 100,000-dose stockpile, following advice from the RIVM. Agema stated she will reconsider after the arrival of a new shipment of vaccines in early 2025.

NGO Oxfam Novib criticized the decision as short-sighted, noting there are no current cases in the Netherlands and much of the stockpile expires in September 2025.

On July 25, 2024, the Dutch government signed an agreement with UNAIDS to contribute US$2 million.

Executive Director of UNAIDS Winnie Byanyima thanked the Dutch government and the people of the Netherlands for standing beside people at risk of and who are living with HIV/AIDS.

On June 13, 2024, the Netherlands announced the distribution of its cabinet posts, including the creation of three new ministries: Asylum and Migration, Housing and Spatial Planning, and Climate and Green Growth.

The Dutch government also renamed the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature. The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation will become the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Assistance. These changes are meant to mirror the new government’s priorities.

The PVV was allocated five ministers, the VVD and NSC four, and the BBB two. Designated Prime Minister Dick Schoof does not represent any party.

Ministerial appointments with relevance to development included:

• Minister of Climate and Green Growth: Sophie Hermans ( VVD);
• Minister of Finance: Eelco Heinen ( VVD);
• Minister of Economic Affairs: Dirk Beljaarts ( PVV);
• Minister of Agriculture: Femke Wiersma ( BBB);
• Minister of Education: Eppo Bruins ( NSC, CU);
• Minister of Asylum and Migration: Marjolein Faber ( PVV);
• Minister of Health: Fleur Agema ( PVV);
• Minister of Foreign Affairs: Caspar Veldkamp ( NSC); and
• Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Assistance: Reinette Klever ( PVV).

The PVV’s Ministers for Foreign Trade and Development Assistance Reinette Klever and Asylum and Migration Marjolein Faber sparked controversy due to past statements regarding omvolking, or the ‘replacement theory’. Faber and Klever distanced themselves from past use of the term but reiterated concerns about demographic change.

Candidate ministers and secretaries will present themselves in public hearings to the House of Representatives. The new cabinet is expected to be sworn in on July 2, 2024.

On June 10, 2024, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher announced that the Netherlands will provide another EUR13 million (US$14 million) for humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

EUR10 million (US$11 million) was allocated to directly supporting organizations, including:

• EUR3 million (US$3 million) to the WHO for medical support and early warning for disease outbreaks;
• EUR4 million (US$4 million) to the ILO's Emergency Response Plan to improve the socio-economic situation in the Palestinian Terrorities; and
• EUR3 million (US$3 million) to the ICRC for trauma support, negotiating to release hostages, and family reunification.

EUR3 million (US$3 million) was reserved for UNWRA, to be made available when the organization has implemented the recent independent research report’s recommendations to improve neutrality concerns.

On June 11, 2024, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot spoke at a conference about Gaza in Jordan. She mentioned the new contributions, as well as the EUR20 million (US$22 million) already set aside by the Dutch government for early recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. She urged all parties to enact an immediate ceasefire in line with the UN's security resolution.

On May 3, 2024, representatives from the Netherlands attended the 30^th ICPD in New York, where Dutch Director-General for International Cooperation Pascalle Grotenhuis and Dutch SRHR Youth Ambassador Sarah Bahgat called for further action on CSE and youth involvement to continue SRHR progress.

Grotenhuis delivered a statement on behalf of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg and highlighted priorities set out by young people. The Netherlands also supported the ICPD Program of Action and co-hosted 300+ young people at the Global Youth Dialogue to reflect on its urgent call to ensure women and girls’ right to decide over their bodies and futures.

Bahgat delivered a statement at the General Debate of the Commission on Population and Development, highlighting the need to tackle information online, deliver CSE in humanitarian settings, and showcase the outcomes of the Global Youth Dialogue.