PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, February 22nd, twenty-eight Foundations and Associations attended the information session organized by Cooperative Funds. Approximately forty persons attended the meeting and received information on the objectives of the agency, types of project, target groups and criteria for funding. Among those present, were a number of organizations new to Cooperative Funds.
Cooperative Funds consists of five funding agencies in the Netherlands: Oranjefonds, SKAN fonds, Stichting Kinderpostzegels, Fonds Sluyterman- van Loo and Innovatiefonds Zorgverzekeraars.
On an annual basis they give together a considerable amount of grants to the six Dutch Caribbean islands on an annual basis. They focus on project proposals which target "vulnerable" groups in the society, youth and children, the elderly and are committed to help social initiatives in the areas of community binding, cohesion, participation in society, health and care. For the upcoming three years, the Dutch organizations in collaboration with the advisory Councils of the six Dutch Caribbean islands, have written a policy plan in which they focus on special themes.
Projects which focus on strengthening community building in their specific neighborhoods as well as initiatives of Foundations working together and submitting projects that show collaboration efforts will have a better chance of passing the criteria.
Additionally special attention is given to organizations that acknowledge and encourage volunteerism. This vision is based on the assumption that societies are highly dependent on volunteer activities in order to build stronger communities.
Project proposals may vary in size, amount and scope. For those organizations that are new to Cooperative Funds or have small projects, there is the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant to the maximum amount of Naf. 3000. This type of grant allows for a speedier project approval and therefore early start of the project.
Persons and organizations who were unable to attend can find more information on the website www.samenwerkendefondsen.org, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Jose Sommers, Project Advisor, at 586 0808.
