Governmental authorities: 

There is not one top-level authority responsible for social inclusion. Several ministries contribute with their policies to fostering the broad concept of social inclusion: 

The main public actors involved in policy making 

Please see chapter 1, 2 and 3 for other public actors involved in policy making. The main public actors below are not directly involved in policy making. They are, however, important in the Netherlands because they carry out research, monitor and advise governmental institutions. 

The Ombudsman for Children Kinderombudsman monitors whether children’s rights are adhered to in the Netherlands by the central and local government. But also by private organizations in education, childcare, child welfare and health care. The Dutch parliament appointed Margrite Kalverboer as the Netherlands’ ombudsperson for Children, on 20 April 2016. Recently, in June 2025, in September 2016, this Ombudsman concluded that children’s rights and interests are still too often overlooked in laws and policies, and calls for systematic consideration of their well-being in decision-making. In 2024, 1,812 requests were received by the Ombudsman, mainly concerning education, youth welfare, poverty, and family law. The report highlights concerns about vulnerable groups, noting that teenage girls and non-binary youth feel least safe and happy, especially online. Finally, the Ombudsman urges authorities to make help more accessible and to guarantee equal rights for all children, regardless of where they live. 

The Human Rights Institute (College voor de Rechten van de Mens) explains, monitors and protects human rights, promotes respect for human rights (including equal treatment) in practice, policy and legislation, and increases the awareness of human rights in the Netherlands. 

Statistics Netherlands (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek - CBS) publishes reliable statistical information which responds to the needs of Dutch society. They identify, for example, future demands in the labour market. 

The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau – SCP) is a government agency that conducts research into the social aspects of all areas of government policy. The main fields studied are health, welfare, social security, labour market and education, with a particular focus on the interfaces between these fields. The reports published by SCP are widely used by government, civil servants, local authorities and academics. 

Movisie is the Netherlands centre for social development. Its mission is to promote the participation and independence of citizens by supporting and advising professional organizations, volunteer organizations and government institutions. One of the key issues it focuses on is ‘Emancipation and Inclusion’. 

The Netherlands Youth Institute NJi gives information about the Dutch youth policy on its English pages. 

The main non-public actors involved in policy making 

Please see chapter 1, 2 and 3 for other non-public actors involved in policy implementation. Other main non-public actors are: 

Children’s rights coalition (Kinderrechtencollectief). This is a coalition of different children’s rights organizations that want to promote the rights of children. The coalition consists of: