THE HAGUE – The Netherlands plans to spend approximately €14.7 million in 2027 on measures connected with the trans-Atlantic slavery past, with Curaçao among the Caribbean countries involved in shaping how parts of the broader program are implemented.
The proposed Kingdom Relations budget allocates €14.694 million to the slavery-past policy area in 2027. Of this, approximately €6.5 million is allocated to societal initiatives, while approximately €8.2 million is earmarked for measures involving awareness, engagement and the continuing effects of slavery.
The funding follows commitments made after the Dutch government’s formal apology for the Netherlands’ role in slavery.
The broader program focuses on knowledge and awareness, recognition, commemoration and the continuing effects of the trans-Atlantic slavery past.
Importantly for Curaçao, the Netherlands says decisions about programming and the destination of these resources are to be made in consultation with stakeholders from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius and Sint Maarten.
The Dutch government is also evaluating the subsidy program for societal initiatives during 2026 and 2027.
A broader assessment of slavery-past policy in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom is scheduled for 2030 and will examine the policy period from 2024 through 2029.
The document does not provide a Curaçao-specific allocation from the €14.7 million total, so the full amount should not be presented as funding directly available to Curaçao.