DOEN supports pioneers working towards a more cohesive society – one in which people are able to connect and support and empower one another. These people and projects are showing that community, engagement and solidarity are essential for a society in which everyone can participate and everyone matters. In 2025, we saw more community residents taking action to make their neighbourhoods more liveable, greener and more sociable. The Citizen Collectives’ Monitor, produced by our partner CollectieveKracht, registered the same increase. Community initiatives are incredibly important, particularly in a society in which distrust is on the rise. We will continue to build this movement with our partners, with the support of the Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds and the VriendenLoterij Fonds.
The power of community projects
Through the Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds, we supported 990 neighbourhood projects and 28 innovative community projects in 2025 – passing the significant milestone of more than 1,000 initiatives in a single year. All over the Netherlands, local residents worked to improve their streets, neighbourhoods and villages.
Community projects bring people together and build trust among neighbours, demonstrating how powerful small-scale initiatives can be. Residents meet doing activities, like playing indoor bowls in Venlo, or work together to support the local economy, as at De Bol community centre in north Amsterdam.
Reaching new groups
Through the Vergroen Je Buurt (Green Your Neighbourhood) campaign, we worked with IVN Natuureducatie to reach new target audiences. Many of those who applied to the Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds in 2025 did so for the first time. Projects included community vegetable gardens such as Tuin op de Pier in Rotterdam and meeting places such as those run by Transfarmers in Den Bosch. These initiatives not only make neighbourhoods greener but also forge bonds between residents.
Strengthening communities in the Netherlands and abroad
We also support initiatives abroad that build community. For example, the Ban Biba Bario programme in Curaçao and Aruba helps neighbourhoods become more sociable and cohesive. From cultural activities to community spaces, partners’ projects unite people and help to foster neighbourhood pride and spirit.
Increasing participation
Through the VriendenLoterij Fonds, we support social enterprises that are working to create an inclusive labour market and promote equality of opportunity. They create jobs and provide support and development for people who don’t always get a chance to participate – newcomers, young people without basic qualifications, those who face barriers on the mainstream labour market.
For example, Technoord and Sarban de Toekomst offer newcomers work experience and opportunities to develop their talents. Other social enterprises focus on young people, people with disabilities, or local residents who could use extra support in finding suitable work or training.
More and more organisations are demonstrating that an inclusive labour market is possible, building a movement towards a society in which everyone can make a valuable contribution.
Learning and growing together
We strive to increase our impact by working with partners and other funders and exploring new forms of collaboration. Initiatives such as the Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond are finding innovative ways different parties can work together to strengthen community initiatives.
By sharing knowledge and connecting our partners, we’re working to build a strong grassroots movement and create a society in which everyone can participate.
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