Criteria submissions Appeltjes van Oranje 2026

Theme 2026: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Together!

Poverty is a persistent problem that affects people in every part of our Kingdom. Its impact is profound. Poverty is about more than a lack of money — it affects health, opportunities, and the ability to participate in society. Existing poverty policies are often insufficient or overly complex, leaving people without the support they need. Social initiatives are therefore essential; they work closely with people, based on understanding and trust, and respond directly to what people need. 

For the Appeltjes van Oranje 2026, we are looking for social initiatives that help break the cycle of poverty and debt in a sustainable way. Projects that not only provide support, but also strengthen people with new knowledge and skills. Initiatives that build confidence and remove barriers by working in a stress-sensitive way — or by involving people with lived experience or volunteers with a shared (cultural) background. Initiatives that open up conversations about poverty, contribute to a fairer understanding of reality, and show what becomes possible when people receive the right kind of support.  

How to Participate

Before completing the nomination form, please read the criteria and guidelines below. You can also download them in Dutch or English. Still have questions after reading them? Join one of the online Q&A sessions or check the FAQ on this page. 

Initiatives can nominate themselves for an Appeltje van Oranje. Applications are open from Monday, January 12 to Sunday, February 22, 2026. Dutch and Caribbean initiatives apply through different procedures. 

The Netherlands

Dutch initiatives can apply via www.mijn.oranjefonds.nl. Is it your first time using the “Mijn Oranje Fonds” platform? Read below how it works. 
[Button: How the Mijn Oranje Fonds Platform Works] 

The Caribbean

Caribbean initiatives follow a different nomination process. This nomination form must be completed in full, with all required attachments, and emailed before February 22 2026 to  appeltjesvanoranje@oranjefonds.nl. 

Tip: Prepare your application in advance by reviewing the questions in the sample nomination form. Please note: this document is for reference only — you must submit your project using the official application form. 

Criteria

With this edition of the Appeltjes van Oranje, we are seeking exceptional projects. To be eligible, your initiative/project must meet the following substantive conditions. 

Your initiative aims to: 

• Prevent poverty. For example, by improving financial skills, helping people into education or work, and giving access to schemes and support. 

And / or 

• Reduce poverty. For example, through debt counseling, improving financial skills, helping people into education or work, or by collaborating with system stakeholders. 

And / or  

• Empower and connect people living in (imminent) poverty. You strengthen networks, connect people with experts by experience and with each other, and ensure they can participate in society, for example through activities or volunteering. In doing so, you also alleviate the consequences of poverty. 

In addition: 

• You can clearly explain how your activities help reduce, prevent, or alleviate (the consequences of) poverty and/or debt, and how you strengthen people living in (imminent) poverty. 
• You are effective at reaching people in (imminent) poverty and/or with debts, for example by engaging experts by experience and/or focusing on (early) detection. 
• You build on people’s strengths and encourage them to take charge of what they need to make structural progress. People are actively involved in implementation—beyond mere consultation. 

Initiatives that are not eligible: 

• Initiatives focused solely on material aid, such as food, clothing, and/or toy banks, exchange shops, etc.—no matter how important—are not eligible for the 2026 Appeltjes van Oranje. 
• The same applies to initiatives focused on short-term relief, such as theater visits, personal care (e.g., hairdresser or nail salon visits), etc. 

If your organization has multiple locations running the same initiative, apply only once—choose one location’s initiative. 

Examples of likely contenders 

Example 1: A program for individuals and families with (imminent) debts, combining one-on-one financial guidance with pathways to work or study. Through coaching and workshops, participants develop financial and practical skills tailored to their interests and aspirations. 

Example 2: Initiatives that help people use their lived experience, such as buddy projects for people living in poverty. By sharing your own experiences, you support another and strengthen yourself. 

Example 3: Initiatives that start from participants’ strengths—not their vulnerabilities—and encourage them to apply those strengths within the project or organization, with the aim of making poverty discussable. 

Example 4: Initiatives that form a crucial link between people living in (imminent) poverty or with debts and the support services—bringing different worlds and systems together. 

Example 5: Initiatives that strengthen the living conditions of individuals and families through a mix of educational activities and targeted support on parenting and financial themes. 

Example 6: Setting up budgeting courses, savings groups, or peer groups in which people become more aware of their financial behavior and sustainably shift toward healthy, sensible financial habits. This increases financial self-reliance, breaks poverty-related loneliness, and reduces the risk of falling back into debt. 

Operational criteria 

In addition to the substantive project conditions, we apply several operational criteria for the applying organization: 

• The applicant is a legal entity, such as a foundation, association, or cooperative. 
• The organization has been active for at least 3–5 years and organizes activities throughout the year. Organizations with one-off, annually recurring activities do not meet the criteria. 
• The initiative you submit has been running for at least two years. 
• The organization is active in the Netherlands or in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. 
• The organization may operate nationally and/or locally. 
• The organization is financially healthy and can continue without the prize. 
• The organization has never won an Appeltje van Oranje. An initiative that previously participated in the selection process may reapply if it meets the current guidelines. 
• The organization has a social mission. 
• Volunteers play an important role in the organization. 

Selection process 

In October 2026, three social initiatives will receive an Appeltje van Oranje. The selection procedure is as follows: 

• The first selection by Oranje Fonds is based on the application form about the project and organizational documents (articles of association, annual accounts, four referees from the local context—including the municipality, a local initiative, and other stakeholders, etc.). We look at the criteria above and at diversity among the selected initiatives (geographic—local/national—type of organization, and approach). From all entries we select up to 40 initiatives in the Netherlands and up to 10 from the Caribbean. 
• These 50 contenders take part in the online Stemtiendaagse from 18–27 May 2026. This gives them a platform and the attention they deserve. The initiative with the highest number of votes secures the first of the 10 nomination spots. 
• Next, all 50 contenders pitch to each other and the jury on 12 June (Caribbean) or 13 June (Netherlands) during the Appeltjes van Oranje Pitch Day. 
• The jury selects the remaining 9 nominees on this day, bringing the total to 10 nominees: in principle 8 from the Netherlands and 2 from the Caribbean. Votes from the Stemtiendaagse do not count on Pitch Day. The jury applies the criteria mentioned earlier. 
• The 10 nominees are visited by Oranje Fonds in June–July. The visit to the Caribbean nominee(s) takes place immediately after Pitch Day. 
• In September, the jury selects three winners. The decision is formally ratified by the Oranje Fonds board. 
• All three winners receive €25,000 and a bronze Appeltje van Oranje in October. 

Q&A Sessions 

We organize special online Q&A sessions where you can ask questions about applying for the Appeltjes van Oranje. 

Initiatives from the Caribbean can also contact our local advisor Elly Hellings at ellyhellings@indigoblue.org. 

Questions? 

Do you have any questions? Check our FAQ's to see if yours is already answered. If not, feel free to email us at appeltjesvanoranje@oranjefonds.nl.