PHILIPSBURG:---The ‘Samenwerkende Fondsen Cariben or SFC’ (Cooperating Foundations for the Dutch Caribbean) office on Sint Maarten, which caters to the islands of Sint Maarten, Saba and Statia with providing funding opportunities for social endeavours, received a working visit from representatives of the ‘Samenwerkende Fondsen Netherlands’.
‘Samenwerkende Fondsen’ was set up over 14 years ago, as a collaborative effort to support social initiatives on the Dutch Caribbean islands, regardless of their status within the Kingdom. It is an organization that is facilitated by six funding agencies, originating from the Netherlands; Fonds Sluyterman van Loo, Innovatiefonds Zorgverzekeraars, Kansfonds, Oranje Fonds, Stichting Kinderpostzegels, and the newly joined Roomsch Catholijk Oude Armen Kantoor (RCOAK). The SFC assists NGOs financially within the field of social welfare and care, also catering to projects with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as the elderly and youth.
During this working visit, Organisations that have shown interest or have submitted applications for funding, as well as projects that are ongoing were visited. Organisations that have had projects in the past or have been the recipients of Irma relief funding, which was granted in December, were also visited. Such visits are of importance for the representatives to get a feel for the needs on the islands as well as knowing hands-on how projects funded through them are making a difference.
The delegation also hosted a successful information session, at the Senior Citizen Recreational Center in Hope Estate, whereby over 40 persons attended. All showing interest in the opportunities SFC may have to offer.
The working visit continued on Curacao where all SFC representatives met to discuss the policy plan for the coming years, as well as the specific needs of all the Dutch Caribbean islands, and how best to cater to these needs.
All Dutch Caribbean islands have a local office and a local project coordinator and are there to assist with funding applications and inquiries. These offices provide general support to social endeavours in need of funding.
Persons who missed this opportunity can call on the local Project Coordinator, Fleur Hermanides, for more information on possible financial assistance for social projects. For more information organisations can visit: http://samenwerkendefondsen.org/en, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1721-586 08 08.
A downloadable funding application form can be found on the website, and appointments can be made via the abovementioned contact information.
