PHILIPSBURG–Organisations are reminded about the deadline of July 31 by which all funding applications must be submitted to the Dutch National Disaster Fund (Nationale Rampen Fonds – NRF).
In November 2017 the NRF pledged a maximum of two million euros, of which two-thirds will be going to local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for post-Hurricane Irma recovery projects in St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius.
The main focus is on projects that concentrate on re-building and strengthening of social networks and activities on the islands. Organisations such as neighbourhood and community centres; children’s day-care, afterschool and youth centres; Parents Teachers Associations; and organisations that cater to vulnerable persons such as seniors, mentally and physically challenged and low income/socially challenged groups form the main target group.
Most of these NGOs offer social, cultural, arts, sports, environmental, parent-child and/or other activities with the aim of promoting social cohesion and strengthening the social fabric of the community. Organisations that fall into or collaborate with one of these categories are encouraged to submit a project proposal to [email protected] by the deadline date of July 31 to become eligible for funding.
The local non-profit sector has proven to be a very important stakeholder after the hurricanes and the prospective two million euros that has been made available is a perfect opportunity for not only the large, but also for the small local social organisations to strengthen themselves and the projects and programmes they execute.
The local project advisors visited Saba and Statia on Monday, June 18, to give an information session on the fund and answer any questions any NGOs might have. The advisors said the sessions were successful, which would help recruit more post-hurricane social initiatives. A session was held in St. Maarten on May 15, which was very well attended and thus far has led to numerous project proposals.
Further information, including the terms of reference and a downloadable application form in both Dutch and English, can be found via www.nationaalrampenfonds.nl/irma . The project advisers can be contacted at 586-0808 or [email protected] (Fleur Hermanides), or 581-5050 or [email protected] (Jose Sommers) for any project support or inquiries.
Bron: Daily Herald