Congratulations to CSOs as the Dutch Parliament Passes Motion to Support their Advocacy

The Dutch Parliament voted in favour of a motion introduced by Socialist Party Member of Parliament, Sarah Dobbe, urging the Dutch cabinet to include advocacy efforts - at both the national and international levels, such as the UN - into future funding instruments for civil society. This decision is a significant development, particularly in light of the previous stance by former Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Assistance, Reinette Klever, who had planned to discontinue this vital support. The motion represents a positive shift towards ensuring that civil society organizations can continue to advocate for fundamental rights and play an active role in democratic processes.

It’s a sigh of relief yet at Gender Concerns International, we are closely monitoring the progress of this initiative, recognizing its potential impact on the ability of civil society groups to operate freely and effectively. We believe that this motion serves as an important signal for the future of civil society funding in the Netherlands and beyond. Our team will continue to follow the developments around this motion and its implementation

At Gender Concerns International, we remain committed to ensuring that civil society, particularly organizations advocating for gender equality and political participation, are supported in their vital work on both the national and international stages.