THE HAGUE – Starting mid-August 2025, organizations in both the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as Suriname, will be able to apply for funding from a newly established €100 million Slavery Fund. The fund aims to support projects focused on raising awareness, healing, and addressing the lasting effects of slavery.
The announcement was made by Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Judith Uitermark, during a parliamentary committee debate on addressing the legacy of slavery. The fund will be evenly distributed across the three regions: the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, the European Netherlands, and Suriname. The official application criteria will be published on July 1, the date on which slavery was officially abolished in the Kingdom in 1863.
In addition to the fund for civil society initiatives, another €100 million has been set aside for policy-based initiatives, for which government bodies can submit proposals. On July 1, the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom are expected to present their own action plans.
Political Debate Over the Fund
Not all parties support the initiative. Peter van Haasen (PVV) criticized the fund, calling it “a subsidy-driven victim industry” and accusing activist organizations of perpetuating dependency through ceremonies, commissions, workshops, and awareness campaigns. Joost Eerdmans (JA21) echoed this sentiment, stating the €200 million could be better spent on what he called “more meaningful projects.”
On the other hand, parties such as GroenLinks-PvdA, NSC, D66, and ChristenUnie argued for more structural attention to the colonial past in the Dutch education system. MP Raoul White (GroenLinks-PvdA), Faith Bruyning (NSC), Mpanzu Bamenga (D66), and Don Ceder (ChristenUnie) were among those advocating for deeper public engagement and education. Minister Uitermark confirmed that efforts to improve educational content are already underway.
“We Are Just Getting Started”
When MP Van Haasen asked whether there would be an end to the focus on the slavery past, Minister Uitermark responded firmly:
“Let me be clear. We are not putting a full stop. This is a continuous process, and we are only just beginning.”
The launch of the slavery fund is part of the Dutch government's broader commitment to reconciliation and historical justice, following its official apology in 2022 for its role in slavery.
