The newly published Dutch Coalition Agreement for 2026–2030, “Getting to Work – Building a Better Netherlands”, signals a notable shift in the government’s approach to international cooperation. After several years of budget cuts and reduced international visibility, the coalition explicitly chooses to rebuild capacity, credibility, and presence on the global stage.

One of the most significant commitments is the structural increase of €257 million per year for development cooperation, complemented by an additional €35 million annually for Dutch embassies and local missions. For organizations working in poverty reduction, health, humanitarian response, climate, and governance, this represents a meaningful reversal of earlier trends. At HVFC, we are pleased to see this renewed investment, as it creates the conditions to repair some of the damage caused by previous cuts—both in terms of impact on vulnerable communities and the Netherlands’ ability to operate as a reliable international partner.

The agreement places strong emphasis on a more geopolitical and security-aware foreign policy, linking development cooperation more explicitly to international stability, conflict prevention, migration management, and European security. Development policy is positioned as a strategic instrument alongside diplomacy and defence, rather than as a stand-alone domain. While this framing increases political relevance, it also means that implementing organizations will need to articulate their impact clearly within this broader strategic context.

Importantly, the coalition also acknowledges the need to strengthen execution and presence on the ground. The additional budget for embassies and missions is aimed at improving policy implementation, partnerships with local actors, and coordination with civil society and the private sector. For NGOs and international organisations, this could translate into more engaged diplomatic counterparts, better contextual understanding, and improved space for collaboration—provided that this ambition is followed by practical changes in working methods.

At the same time, the agreement continues to stress effectiveness, accountability, and measurability of results. This aligns with a broader trend toward impact-driven funding and places renewed importance on strong monitoring, learning, and evidence-based programming. Flexibility and long-term partnerships are mentioned, but it remains to be seen how much room this leaves for core funding and adaptive approaches.

Overall, the coalition agreement offers a cautious but tangible reset for Dutch development cooperation. The additional resources create opportunities to rebuild trust, partnerships, and impact. The coming years will show whether these ambitions translate into predictable funding, meaningful engagement with civil society, and a renewed Dutch role in tackling global poverty, inequality, and instability.

More information on the Coalitieakkoord 2026 – 2030 can be found here.