On this page

1. Existence of a National Strategy

2. Scope and Contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Updates

National Strategy for Youth Volunteering

There is no national strategy on youth volunteering in the Netherlands. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports (Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport) is the responsible ministry on volunteering in general. The official information about volunteering can be found on the governmental website (only in Dutch).

Responsible Authority

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has a coordinating role regarding the national policy for volunteer work. In the lack of a national strategy, several laws and regulations apply to different aspects of volunteer work:

• The Act on Working Conditions.
• The General Data Protection Regulation.
• A police record check (free of charge) for volunteers working with vulnerable people.
• A volunteering fee exempt from income tax, with a maximum of €2.100 a year.
• Specific rules for volunteers on benefits.
• Rules of conduct and a road map to prevent and talk about inappropriate behavior in volunteer organizations, like bullying, sexual intimidation, aggression or discrimination. The products have been developed by the Association of Dutch Volunteer Organizations (Vereniging Nederlandse Organisaties Vrijwilligerswerk). 

Scope and Contents

The Dutch government (Rijksoverheid) sees voluntary work as something 'that you do unpaid and without obligation, for others or for society'. In addition, three criteria are identified:

1. It is in the general interest or in a particular social interest
2. It is not for profit
3. It does not replace a paid job

Key policy objectives are that voluntary work contributes to society. Safety is another key objective. The government contributes to this aim by providing police record checks (Verklaring Omtrend Gedrag) about volunteers for organizations, clearly communicating about the rules and regulations about paid work that also apply for voluntary work, and providing information about volunteering abroad on their website.

Updates

The focus on work and education by Central Government was broadened since March 2020 as all young people between 14 and 27 years old can voluntarily donate an amount of time to do social service. This way, central government simulates young people to discover, use and develop their skills and talents, to meet new people, to contribute to society, to strengthen civil society and to make choices for their future.

In 2015, a shift was made in the expectations of voluntary participation by citizens in Dutch society. The Social Support Act (Wet Maatschappelijke Ondersteuning) was adopted, which stimulates information and formal social systems. Volunteering is part of it. The Social Support Act gives municipalities the assignment to connect with initiatives of citizens.