Criteria Caribbean submission Appeltjes van Oranje 2025

Register your initiative for the Appeltjes van Oranje 

You can submit your nomination for an Appeltje van Oranje 2025 through the registration form on the bottom of this page. Before filling in the form, please read the criteria on this page.

To qualify for an Appeltje van Oranje 2025, nominations must meet the following conditions:

1. The organization is crucial for its target group

• The organization is indispensable for its target group.
• The organization plays a key role in identifying and addressing societal challenges, such as poverty, loneliness, mental health vulnerabilities, or lack of connection in neighborhoods.
• The target group is actively involved in the planning and/or execution of activities, going beyond mere consultation.

2. The organization fulfills a connecting role within the local context

• The organization collaborates structurally with the government OR other relevant parties, such as welfare organizations, and regularly takes the initiative in these collaborations.

3. The organization has a diverse and future-proof financing model

• The organization successfully utilizes various funding sources (e.g., subsidies, grants, donations) and is thus financially sustainable.

4. The organization demonstrates clear added value

• The organization operates based on at least one effective approach.
• The organization can demonstrate that it significantly improves the living conditions of its target group. This can be evidenced through, for example, impact reports, (external) research, or testimonials from participants and/or partners.
• The organization has developed relevant and shareable knowledge and actively shares this with others.
• Preferably, the organization has significance beyond just the local level.

Examples of potential winners

Example 1: A local community initiative that organically grew into a central meeting place for the neighborhood. The initiative proved to be indispensable for both the residents and the local government. Through crowdfunding, the organization was able to purchase the building, making it a permanent fixture in the community. The organization developed its own impact methodology to measure the value of the community space and distinguishes itself from other neighborhood centers by, for example, collaborating with local makers and creatives.

Example 2: An organization that supports vulnerable families with language development at various locations. The organization is sustainably funded through local institutions and welfare organizations, employs a proven effective methodology recognized as a standard in the field, continuously measures its impact, and consistently improves its services. This makes it indispensable.

Example 3: A national organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and acceptance of a specific group in society, making it indispensable. The organization provides education and support, collaborates with various institutions, and aims to promote equality and inclusion. It has a long and successful history of advocacy and influence on legislation.

Example 4: An organization that provides local support to help people improve their self-reliance in various areas of life, such as well-being, parenting, and finances. The organization works with trained volunteers and offers personal guidance to individuals in need of temporary assistance. Through collaboration with local partners and a wide range of programs, this indispensable organization contributes to a stronger social network and an improved quality of life for a diverse range of vulnerable groups.

Example 5: A local broad network of initiatives and organizations that work with volunteers on the same theme. By collaborating, residents in this municipality with support needs are better assisted. Within this indispensable network, they utilize each other's expertise, share knowledge, and work together on challenges. A core group of organizations takes on a leading role and serves as a key driver with a signaling function.

Example 6: A local activity in the neighborhood has grown into a foundation with significant impact. The methodology, which connects diverse groups of neighborhood residents at the local level, is being similarly implemented and measured in numerous locations. This easily transferable concept successfully fosters greater connection and sustainable relationships between people and organizations in neighborhoods and communities, making it indispensable. The parent organization supports new initiators in launching the initiative at new locations.

Functional criteria

In addition to the substantive requirements, we also apply a number of functional criteria:

• The organization must have a legal entity, such as a foundation, association, or cooperative.
• The organization must have been active for at least 3–5 years and organize activities throughout the year. Organizations that focus solely on one-off or annual recurring activities do not meet the criteria.
• The organization must be active in the Netherlands or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
• The organization can operate at a local and/or national level.
• The organization must be financially stable and able to continue operating without the award.
• The organization must not have won an Appeltje van Oranje in the past. However, initiatives that have participated in the selection process for a previous edition of the Appeltjes van Oranje may reapply if they meet the current guidelines.
• The organization must have a social or societal objective.
• Volunteers must play an important role in the organization.