Criteria

1. Radical Imagination
   Radical imagination is the ability to imagine the world not as it is, but as it could be. Radical imagination is not only about the future, but also about the present and the past. The art of this imagination can question seemingly unquestioned, dominant truths and give space to a multiplicity of perspectives, views, voices and narratives. The process of imagination is thus collective.
   
2. Social practice
   DOEN likes to work with artists and cultural institutions in which art reflects changes in society and gives rise to projects. And that involve individual people and communities in the artistic process and place art and culture at the centre of society. This from a personal, unbiased perspective, with social involvement and off the beaten track. These social practitioners change the rules of the game in their own way, on a large and small scale. In the process, there emerges a different relationship between creator, audience and other stakeholders, and a different view of the world.   
   
3. Inclusion
   For really meaningful and sustainable change, the conditions and opportunities for people to participate in society must improve. This is a counter-movement to the process of exclusion and marginalisation where the voices of individuals and groups are less heard or ignored and they have less access to facilities, networks, knowledge, experiences and thought leadership in society. Promoting inclusion goes beyond promoting equality or diversity. DOEN wants to encourage concrete action to enable participation in society.
   
4. Change and movement
   Many arts and cultural initiatives are experiments that affect the existing structures of the cultural sector, and other sectors, in the long term. They are part of a larger movement, and together make meaningful change possible, not only within the cultural sector, but also outside it, in society. This is the only way art can offer the public - in the broadest sense of the word - other perspectives and bring about social change from the bottom up and from niches.     

In addition to these substantive criteria, a number of general criteria and exclusions apply.    

1. The initiative fits in with the transitions that DOEN wants to accelerate and contributes to a healthier balance between ecological, socially inclusive and cultural sustainability. 
2. The initiative knows how to reach and engage new communities.    
3. The initiative is not a one-off, but is aimed at structurally changing working methods and embedding and sharing insights and results with other (DOEN) partners and sectors. 
4. When implementing initiatives, artists and cultural institutions aim to connect with social partners and society as a whole. They connect parties that do not naturally cooperate with each other and they explore alternative, more equal forms of cooperation.    

You can apply for support for initiatives in the Netherlands (including Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the BES islands) at the VriendenLoterij Fonds.    

Exclusions for initiatives outside the Netherlands  

1. Initiatives by organisations from Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are not eligible for support.   
2. Organisations based in the Netherlands are only supported in very exceptional cases, when there is clear added value in the local context and there is no local organisation that can take on the relevant tasks.   
3. DOEN does not contribute to one-off exchanges or exhibitions by artists, which are not embedded in a broader strategy to create sustainable and meaningful change.   

You can submit an application for support for initiatives outside the Netherlands to the DOEN Foundation. 

1. The initiative strengthens communities disproportionately affected by climate change (climate adaptation, system recovery and inclusiveness). 
2. This concerns an innovative solution for the new ecological balance (for example, on the design side/earlier in the chain).  
3. A new trend/development is being initiated in an entrepreneurial way.  
4. The initiative establishes a positive connection between active human intervention and ecology (improvement is achieved by doing).  
5. The initiative works on regenerating local ecosystems through an approach in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. 

1. The initiative contributes to the transitions that DOEN wants to accelerate. 
2. DOEN funding is catalytic for the initiative and impact, after this the initiative can continue without the support of DOEN.
3. It is a social and/or sustainable enterprise, citizen collective or sector-strengthening initiative which uses an unconventional, surprising and creative approach and is aimed at financial independence. 
4. The (local) initiator is able to set an example for the sector with the initiative. 
5. It is a demand-driven approach, set up with all relevant stakeholders and embedded in the local context. 
6. The initiative is innovative and its social and ecological impact is structural. 
7. The initiative has moved beyond the research phase and is in a pilot or early market introduction phase.  
8. The initiative will be carried out in the Netherlands (including Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the BES islands) or East Africa.

1. Development of technology (R&D phase) 
2. Energy saving or generation by means of waste streams and/or recycling. 
3. Setting up or implementing certification processes. 
4. Initiatives focused only on product level. 
5. Initiatives mainly focused on animal welfare. 
6. Political or awareness campaigns. 
7. Initiatives that are purely aimed at improving living conditions - so-called "Livelihood projects". 
8. Purely technologically driven solutions, such as cultured meat. 

1. The neighbourhood project contributes to a liveable neighbourhood, making the area greener, more socially inclusive and/or creative.
2. The neighbourhood project is accessible to a wide group of residents.
3. We support projects where everyone is seen, heard and respected. There is no room for discrimination, insecurity and exclusion.
4. We prefer neighbourhood projects that are (partly) implemented by residents themselves, or in which residents are actively involved.
5. The applicant is a civil society organisation such as a (neighbourhood) association or foundation.
6. The contribution from the Buurtfonds ranges from a minimum of €500 to a maximum of €5,000. The budget should be proportionate to the maximum contribution.
7. The neighbourhood project takes place in the Netherlands.

1. The neighbourhood project will be realised within a year of the application being approved.
2. Civil society organisations are eligible for a contribution once a year (365 days).

1. Applications from private individuals, commercial companies and local / national government.
2. Organisations and/or neighbourhood projects with a political or religious objective or background.
3. Controversial neighbourhood projects.
4. Costs already incurred for the neighbourhood project.
5. Catering for neighbourhood projects.
6. Structural or recurring costs.
7. Applications from fund and grant agencies.
8. Applicants who already have a financial relationship with the DOEN Foundation, the Nationale Postcode Loterij and the VriendenLoterij are not eligible for a contribution

For more information and to submit an application, see www.postcodeloterijbuurtfonds.nl

1. The initiative fits in with the transitions that DOEN is pursuing.
2. The initiative takes an unconventional, surprising and creative approach.
3. A collective of residents has an active role to play in the initiative.
4. The initiative is closely embedded in its environment and has demonstrable support.
5. The initiative not only has an impact at the individual and community levels, but also demonstrably seeks to change existing systems. For example, by entering into innovative partnerships with municipalities, welfare organisations and/or housing associations.
6. It is an initiative of a sustainable nature (not on a non-binding or one-off basis).
7. The organisation has an enterprising approach, focusing on financial independence and continuity.
8. The initiative targets unexpected connections that bring groups and individuals together who would otherwise probably not meet.
9. The initiative will be implemented in the Netherlands (including the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands).

1. The initiative is aimed at employment and/or social participation of socially vulnerable groups in society.
2. The initiative is based upon a revenue model.
3. In addition to demonstrable social impact, the initiative has either green impact (sustainable or circular aspects) or interfaces with the DOEN theme The Power of Imagination to Bring About Change.
4. The initiative preferably takes place in a sector in which social entrepreneurship is even less self-evident.
5. The initiative contributes to strengthening the entire sector of social entrepreneurship and an inclusive, mainstream labour market.
6. The initiative will be implemented in the Netherlands (including the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands).

For more information and to submit an application, see www.vriendenloterijfonds.doen.nl