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 29, 2024, Dutch Foreign Trade and Development Assistance Minister Reinette Klever and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen, issued a letter to clarify the seeming suspension of the link between Dutch ODA and the GNI for the 2025 development budget.

The ministers state that, as outlined in the budget documents published on Budget Day on September 17, 2024, the current Dutch cabinet has opted to not adjust the ODA 2025 budget based on recent economic forecasts from the Dutch Economic Policy Agency. Adhering to these forecasts would have resulted in a cumulative increase of EUR2 billion (US$2.2 billion) in the ODA budget from 2024 to 2029.

This decision marks a departure from the previous practice of updating the ODA budget biannually in response to economic forecasts. However, the current cabinet does not formally abandon the linkage policy established in 1975; instead, it chooses not to apply it at this time, and leaves open the possibility of future adjustments.

The letter concludes with a commitment to review the budget in spring 2025.

On October 25, 2024, Minister for Climate and Green Growth Sophie Hermans shared the Netherlands’ priorities and goals for the upcoming COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan.

Key objectives include:

• A new and inclusive international climate finance target that involves more contributors beyond traditionally HICs, aiming to scale finance for both adaptation and mitigation in LICs;
• Advancing carbon market regulations with a robust framework under Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement to ensure quality and transparency, and prevent double counting of international carbon emissions;
• Advocate for new climate adaptation indicators to help countries track progress, with a focus on integrating water management expertise in global strategies, food security, and safeguarding vulnerable communities;
• Advocate for a renewed Gender Action Plan to promote women’s and marginalized groups’ roles in climate decisions and initiatives to make climate action more inclusive;
• Promote sustainable transport and a circular economy with policies to reduce waste, support green technology, and improve energy efficiency. This includes backing international coalitions and frameworks for sustainable mobility, such as zero-emission vehicle alliances; and
• Advance the Dutch Kingdom’s Climate Agenda Support for Caribbean islands by recognizing their unique vulnerabilities to climate adaptation and stressing the need for technical assistance and climate finance.

The Netherlands aims to use diplomatic partnerships, financial commitments, and technical expertise in water and energy to lead these initiatives, working closely with EU counterparts and other like-minded nations to build consensus and drive action.

On October 21, 2024, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Assistance Reinette Klever announced that the Netherlands will provide another US$4 million in humanitarian support to Lebanon, targeting food, shelter, and medical assistance for the displaced population. The support will be delivered via the Dutch Relief Alliance and local partners, supplementing international support.

This funding is on top of the EUR10 million (US$11 million) in Dutch flexible financing to the WFP in Lebanon, and Dutch contributions to the UN’s CERF.

Minister Reinette Klever highlighted the worsening situation in Lebanon due to recent Israeli attacks aimed at Hezbollah. The Dutch government backs the UN’s call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unlimited provision of humanitarian support to those in need and is pursuing diplomatic efforts to ease the conflict.

On October 19, 2024, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, and the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, released a joint statement urging Sudanese authorities to allow humanitarian access amid severe crises.

Half of the Sudanese population, 25 million people, urgently need humanitarian assistance due to the conflict between the SAF and the RSF, creating displacement and exacerbating famine.

In their statement, the donors demanded both sides honor humanitarian laws and open cross-border routes, emphasizing the need for unrestricted humanitarian support to prevent further loss of life and suffering in affected regions.

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 October 2, 2024, the Dutch International Climate Coalition presented its position paper with key recommendations for the Dutch government to promote climate justice at COP29, endorsed by 20 civil society organizations, including Greenpeace, Save the Children, Oxfam, and the WWF.

The coalition urges the Dutch government to prioritize the following topics at COP29:

• Inclusive Negotiations: effective, transparent negotiations that curb fossil fuel industry influence and ensure civic space, especially for marginalized groups;
• Equitable Climate Finance: a needs-based financial goal post-2025, prioritizing grants over loans and establishing new funding sources based on equity and the "polluter pays" principle;
• Mitigation and Just Transition: ambitious climate policies, fossil fuel phase-out, and social protections for workers during transitions;
• Adaptation: robust frameworks, linking climate and biodiversity goals, and increasing public finance for long-term resilience; and
• Gender Equality: integrating gender justice into climate policies, enhancing the Gender Action Plan with clear goals, and ensuring adequate resources.
  
  The Dutch International Climate Coalition is an informal collaboration of CSOs in the Netherlands that strives for climate justice through Dutch climate policy and commitments in international climate negotiations.

On September 25, 2024, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Reinette Klever announced a EUR3 million (US$3 million) contribution to UNICEF for emergency food assistance to children in Gaza.

These funds were originally reserved for UNRWA in a letter of June, 2024, but have been redirected to UNICEF due to the food crisis in Gaza.

This shift also aims to lessen Gaza’s reliance on UNRWA for humanitarian assistance, though the Netherlands will continue its regular UNRWA contributions in January as agreed for 2023-2025.

On September 20, 2024, global leaders gathered for the 79 ^th UNGA, the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ contributions focused on key foreign policy themes relating to sustainable policies, human rights protections, and effective multilateral cooperation.

The Summit of the Future, held on September 22-23, 2024, served as a platform for nations to address not just current challenges but also the complexities of tomorrow. As a co-facilitator alongside Jamaica, the Netherlands played a crucial role in shaping the Declaration on Future Generations, a key outcome of the Summit and part of the Pact for the Future.

This declaration includes several commitments:

• Urgent action to tackle environmental challenges;
• Establishing an envoy for future generations to ensure meaningful youth participation in shaping global policies; and
• Investments in quality education and digital literacy to bridge existing divides.

Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations Yoka Brandt highlighted that this Declaration marked the first time countries at such high political levels collectively committed to considering the interests of future generations in their policy-making processes.

Advocacy for Human Rights and LGBTQI+ Protections:

On September 23, 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to human rights during the LGBTI Core Group event. He emphasized the importance of international protections for LGBTI individuals and non-discrimination.

Reforming multilateral institutions for peace and the SDGs:

In his address at the UN Security Council Open Debate, Minister Veldkamp also underscored the Netherlands’ dedication to international peace and security, especially in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. He called for strengthening and reforming the UN and UN Security Council to better promote global peace. Prime Minister Dick Schoof echoed this sentiment in his UNGA speech, expressing support for proposals to reform the UN Security Council for better geographical representation, including advocating for a permanent seat for an African nation.

Ambassador Brandt also explained that an important part of the Pact for the Future is to enhance the effectiveness of multilateral organizations in achieving the SDGs, including decisive action on climate change.

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.