The proposed cutbacks on NGO’s means that from 2026 to 2030 as much as 200 million euros per year less will be available for peace, stability and human rights. Such a draconian measure particularly affects local peace organizations in conflict areas and the thousands of people who try to build a better life with Dutch support.
For peace work, the intent cutbacks have major consequences. The impact of these cuts is enormous in conflict areas. It means that the partner organizations and peace activists we work with can no longer build stability and peace in the region. There are places in the world where people are prevented from standing up to their governments. They sometimes risk their lives by working for stability, inclusiveness and peace. ‘Through our work, people in those very places are given the opportunity to build a dignified existence,’ says Rolien Sasse, director of PAX.
The multi-year subsidies from the Dutch government gave us and other organizations the opportunity to make a large scaled impact. In the long term, in the region. NGOs are good and reliable partners of the ministry and have access to places where the government can never make a direct impact. This new administration has a different view. This is extremely painful for anyone living in a conflict zone. In a time with so many wars in the world and som many people al over the world yearning for peace, tranquility and security, it is extremely strange for a minister to come up with the idea that things could be taken down a notch.
We therefore call on the political parties in the Dutch government to bring the minister to her senses and withdraw this proposal.
