Temporary Grant for Quality-of-Life Initiatives and Volunteer Organizations (2026–2028)

Under this program, sports or cultural associations, other community-based volunteer organizations, and resident groups can apply for funding for new initiatives that enhance the quality of life, community engagement, and volunteer work in the municipality. The goal is to give as many residents as possible the opportunity to participate in a way that suits their preferences and abilities.

What is the grant intended for?

The grant is intended for new activities or projects that contribute to:

• a strong and future-proof community life, especially in the areas of sports and culture;
• greater social cohesion and quality of life in neighborhoods and villages;
• greater engagement among residents (neighborly relations).

These are innovative initiatives. A project may be temporary, but the idea behind it must have a lasting impact. Furthermore, the initiative should be able to continue even without ongoing financial support from the municipality.

Examples

For example:

• a new range of activities offered by a sports or cultural club to keep the club appealing or make it more appealing to existing and new members;
• collaboration or merger of existing associations to maintain sufficient administrative capacity;
• collaboration between organizations to reach new target audiences;
• an initiative by residents to strengthen mutual engagement within the neighborhood, hamlet, or village;
• a project that encourages volunteer work or participation in activities.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

The grant is intended for:

• sports and cultural organizations in the municipality of Aalten;
• civil society organizations that work with volunteers;
• resident groups with an initiative supported by multiple residents.

The initiative must always be aimed at a common interest and must not be intended for individual gain.

How much funding can you receive?

• You can receive reimbursement for up to 75% of the budgeted (eligible) costs.
• The maximum grant is €25,000 per project.

How is the money distributed?

The municipality processes complete applications in the order in which they are received.

The first applicant to submit a complete application will be the first to be reviewed. The total available grant budget for the entire period is €175,000. If the available budget is exhausted, no further grants will be awarded.

When can you apply for a grant?

You can submit an application as long as the program is active and funding is still available.
The program runs through May 1, 2028. 
A grant application must be submitted no later than February 28, 2028.
The initiative, project, or activity must be completed by May 1, 2028.
An organization may submit multiple applications, up to a combined maximum of €25,000.

How do you apply for a grant?

You can apply for a grant using the online application form. Only complete applications will be considered.

Application Form

Post-Event Accountability

At the end of the project, you will present what you have done.

• For grants of up to €10,000, a simple report is sufficient—for example, a newspaper article, a social media post, or photos of the activity.
• For grants ranging from €10,000 to €25,000, more detailed accountability is required. You must then submit, among other things, a financial summary of the final costs and revenues of the activity, project, or initiative.

Why this policy?

The province of Gelderland is providing funding to municipalities to strengthen sports and cultural offerings and to promote local quality-of-life initiatives.

The municipality of Aalten uses this money for projects that contribute to:

• a strong social foundation;
• an active and future-proof community life;
• greater community engagement among residents.

This way, our villages and neighborhoods remain pleasant places to live, and everyone has a chance to participate.