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Netherlands

4. Social Inclusion

4.8 Current debates and reforms

Last update: 15 December 2025

Forthcoming policy developments 

Several major reforms are underway to strengthen social inclusion and youth support systems. The Hervormingsagenda Jeugd (2023–2028) remains central, aiming to make youth care financially sustainable and more effective by reducing waiting times, improving quality, and focusing on prevention and light support close to home. In April 2025, the government announced an additional €3 billion investment in youth care for 2025–2027, alongside structural changes to ensure that children receive timely and appropriate help (miljarden extra voor jeugdzorg (only in Dutch); hervormingsagenda jeugd (only in Dutch)). 

A key legislative step is the Wet verbetering beschikbaarheid jeugdzorg, in October 2025. This law, effective January 2026, obliges municipalities to collaborate regionally on purchasing (highly) specialised youth care, introduces uniform registration standards, and strengthens financial oversight to prevent provider insolvency (wet verbetering beschikbaarheid jeugdzorg (only in Dutch)). 

In education, the Beleidskader Met elkaar voor alle kinderen en jongeren (2024) sets the course for fully inclusive education by 2035, requiring schools to provide equal opportunities and adequate support for all learners (beleidskader inclusief onderwijs (only in Dutch)). 

Social inclusion policy is also evolving through the Participatiewet in balans, approved by the House of Representatives in April 2025. This reform simplifies rules, introduces buffer budgets to stabilise income for people combining work and benefits, and strengthens language requirements to improve labour market access. The first measures are expected to take effect in 2026, with a full overhaul of the law planned to make participation and work more accessible (participatiewet in balans (only in Dutch); kabinet wil nieuwe participatiewet (only in Dutch)). 

Ongoing debates 

Public and political debates focus on the effectiveness and sustainability of youth care, equal opportunities in education, and the balance between rights and obligations in social inclusion policies. Key issues include: 

  • Youth care overload and waiting times: Stakeholders argue that too many children receive light interventions, overburdening the system and delaying help for severe cases. The government and municipalities discuss stricter criteria and shorter trajectories (kamerbrief jeugdzorg (only in Dutch)). 

  • Inclusive education implementation: While the ambition for 2035 is widely supported, concerns remain about teacher shortages and funding for necessary support measures (beleidskader inclusief onderwijs (only in Dutch)). 

  • Participation and poverty: The reform of the Participatiewet sparked debate on obligations versus support, with calls for more tailored assistance and less punitive measures for vulnerable groups (participatiewet debat (only in Dutch)). 

  • Investing in vulnerable youth: Civil society organisations and experts urge structural investment beyond temporary projects, as highlighted in the Manifest Investeren in de toekomst van kwetsbare jongeren and subsequent parliamentary discussions (manifest kwetsbare jongeren (only in Dutch)). 

Actors involved include the Ministries of VWS, OCW, and SZW, municipal associations (VNG), youth organisations, advocacy groups such as the Kinderrechtencollectief, and parliamentary committees on youth, education and social affairs. Media coverage and expert reports (e.g., NJi, SCP, Verwey-Jonker Institute) amplify concerns about slow policy implementation and regional disparities.