Financial support for cultural projects
Funding of Dutch cultural presentations abroad is done by the culture funds in the Netherlands. Please explore your possibilities to apply for funding at one of the culture funds in the Netherlands before contacting the embassy.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Poland has access to limited funds for supporting small-scale projects that contribute to the policy goals of the embassy and is not functioning as cultural fund as such.
An overview of state financed, European Funds and private funding in the Netherlands can be found on the website of Dutch Culture.
Cultural funds in the Netherlands
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Fund (Fonds Podiumkunsten)
For music, dance, theatre and festivals.
Film
The Netherlands Film Fund (Nederlands Filmfonds)
Film productions, festivals and individual training for film professionals.
Architecture, design, e-culture
Creative Industries Fund NL (Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie)
Focuses on all the designing disciplines and on E-culture in a broad sense.
Literature
Dutch Foundation For Literature (Nederlands Letterenfonds)
Supporting writers and translators, promoting Dutch literature abroad.
Visual Art, design and Photography
Mondriaan Fund (Mondriaan Fonds)
Visual arts and cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage
Mondriaan Fund (Mondriaan Fonds)
Dutch Culture Heritage Desk
Dutch Culture Heritage Desk
Exchange of knowledge and experience.
Embassy Funds for Culture
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Poland functions as promoter and supporter of international cultural cooperation and is not operating as cultural fund. The embassy in Poland has access to limited funds for supporting small-scale projects that contribute to the policy goals of the embassy.
The number of applications the embassy receives every year substantially exceeds the available budget. Therefore the embassy has to make a comparative analysis of all project applications. From the many application submitted, only the projects that contribute to the policy goals of the embassy the most, are selected. The grants awarded are conditional upon sufficient funds are available in the budget of the embassy.
Policy goals
- Increase the know-how on the cultural sector of the Netherlands;
- support small-scale cultural projects with a market expanding effect;
- promote the Dutch creative industries;
- strengthen the political-, social-, or cultural dialogue;
- contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;
- spread knowledge on Polish-Dutch mutual cultural heritage;
- popularize Dutch literature;
- support the ‘Dutch Language Departments’ at the universities in Poland.
Guidelines to cultural projects
- A project must contribute to the aims of the grant program of the embassy for local cultural projects;
- application should be submitted at least six weeks prior to the starting date of the project;
- application must be submitted by a Polish organization;
- project should be implemented in Poland;
- local organization must be adequate staffed and should be financially sound;
- application should be submitted in English language and it has to be signed by a representative of the staff;
- application should include a transparent and realistic budget proposal;
- project must be of adequate quality, by both Dutch and Polish standards;
- support must be essential for the project to take place (in other words, it should not be used to make a "profit");
- costs have to be shared in a reasonable manner. Not all expenses can be borne by the Dutch side;
- cost-effect ratio must be acceptable.
Not applicable for funding
- Honoraria of members of the Polish organization;
- infrastructural and overhead costs;
- strictly commercial projects;
- traditional and general Holland promotion;
- activities that have already started or taken place;
- costs related to studies or scientific publications (such as student exchanges, study costs, research and travel costs of students and researchers).
If you wish to apply for funding, please contact the cultural department of the embassy before sending the application.
Applications can be submitted all the year round on standard application forms, which will be send to you upon request.
How to apply for embassy funding?
Applications can be submitted from January 15th to November 15th each year on standard application forms, which will be send to you upon request.
Send an e-mail to the cultural department of the embassy including your contact details, as well as a short description of the project proposal (max 500 characters).