Registration for Appeltjes van Oranje 2026 is now open
Starting today, the Oranje Fonds will be looking for special projects that are eligible for an Appeltje van Oranje award in 2026. This year's theme is “Breaking Poverty Together.” Applications can be submitted from January 12th to February 22nd via oranjefonds.nl/appeltjes. Three winners will receive an Appeltje van Oranje award from Queen Máxima in October.
Indispensable links in tackling poverty issues
Poverty is a persistent problem in the Cariben. Its impact is significant and affects health, opportunities and the ability to participate in society. One in three inhabitants of the Caribbean lives in poverty. Existing poverty policies are often complicated or insufficient, preventing people from finding the support they need. Social initiatives are therefore indispensable in reducing and preventing poverty. They are close to the people, have their trust and offer the support that people need.
For this edition of the Appeltjes van Oranje, the Oranje Fonds is looking for organisations that help break the cycle of poverty and debt in a sustainable way. By this we mean organisations that empower people with knowledge and skills. An important criterion in the selection of candidates is that organisations aim to prevent or reduce poverty. The organisations we are looking for are committed to making poverty a topic of discussion, contribute to a fairer picture of reality and show what is possible when people are able to find the right support.
Recognition of the role of social organisations is essential
Sandra Jetten, director of the Oranje Fonds: "This year, we have once again chosen a socially urgent theme. Initiatives that are committed to preventing and reducing poverty deserve recognition for the work they do. They are indispensable in tackling a persistent problem that affects too many people. By giving these initiatives a platform, we want to convey the message that the knowledge and expertise of these initiatives must be utilised. They deserve an equal place at the table with the government and official bodies. Together, we can make a real difference."
The Appeltjes van Oranje are awarded each year to three successful social organisations that contribute to a connected society. All winners receive a bronze statue, created by Princess Beatrix, and a cash prize of €25,000. Queen Máxima presents the awards, and in anniversary years, King Willem-Alexander does so.
