We are seeing a worrying trend not only in the Global South, but also within Europe and the Netherlands. Governments are cutting funding for civil society organisations, questioning the legitimacy of their work and excluding their voices from the public debate. In the Netherlands, the Schoof government is making it increasingly difficult for NGOs to carry out their work by making advocacy and political lobbying by organisations receiving public funding impossible.
Why civil society organisations are crucial
But civil society organisations are, in fact, crucial: they give a voice to those who are not heard, keep the government on its toes and ensure that policy is in line with reality. The fact that they are being framed in this way is truly worrying. A strong civil society is part of a well-functioning democracy and the rule of law. The government should value the role of civil society organisations rather than putting them under pressure and hindering them. Certainly now, after two years of political missteps, the Netherlands has the opportunity to be a leading example. To show that democratic principles are still very important.
These civil society organisations are not ‘difficult customers’, but rather an essential part of a healthy democracy. They listen to the concerns of society and convey those concerns to the government. In doing so, they ensure better, more coherent policy. This applies in particular to development policy. Civil society organisations have in-depth knowledge of situations in countries where war, exploitation and poverty are a daily reality. They bring the voices of people from these countries to The Hague – people who would otherwise not be heard when policies are being drawn up that directly affect their lives.
Whether it concerns protecting women’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights, advocating for a clean environment, safe working conditions, freedom of religion, or building a democratic rule of law and sustainable peace: civil society organisations ensure that better decisions are taken that bring tangible benefits to people in the Global South.
Widespread concerns
Concerns about a shrinking civic space are widely shared. VNO-NCW previously warned that this poses a risk to the investment climate and the Netherlands’ international standing. In January, Goede Doelen Nederland also expressed its concern in a letter to Prime Minister Schoof regarding the increasing pressure on civil society.
Despite these widespread concerns and two motions passed by the House of Representatives to reverse the policy, the Schoof cabinet is sticking to its position. In doing so, the outgoing cabinet is ignoring a clear ruling by the people’s representatives – a worrying development in itself.
An urgent appeal
This week, we made an urgent appeal to the government: listen to the House of Representatives and strengthen the voice of civil society organisations rather than weakening them. This is a broad appeal. Together with the MVO Platform, Breed Mensenrechten Overleg, WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform and Groene 11, Partos represents some 150 Dutch civil society organisations, all of which are finding that the space in which they can carry out their work is shrinking.
Our commitment for 2026
Over the coming year, we will emphasise the importance of civil society organisations in everything we do. In our communications, in discussions with representatives from other sectors, ministries, local authorities and other sector associations – we will continue to emphasise everywhere that civil society organisations are of great importance. We will continue to demonstrate how crucial this voice is for a healthy democracy, for effective policy and for people worldwide who depend on the Netherlands standing up for human rights and justice. Just before the end of the year, we had already begun by emphasising this to the current State Secretary for Home Affairs.
It takes courage to swim against the rising and powerful tide of autocracy, but we in the Netherlands are capable of doing so. Now is the time to show courage. To demonstrate that a strong democratic constitutional state simply needs critical, independent voices – not in spite of, but precisely because they sometimes ask uncomfortable questions.
Stand up for what really matters. Strengthen civil society rather than further weakening it.