Dorcas’ response to the Dutch coalition agreement

Jochem Duinhof, political advisor at Dorcas, responds to the Dutch coalition agreement of D66, VVD and CDA.
‘Dorcas is cautiously optimistic about the additional funding for development cooperation. This decision partially reverses the previous government’s harsh budget cuts, directly benefiting people worldwide who live in poverty, crisis, and exclusion. Moreover, these investments serve the interests of the Netherlands itself; our country is not an island. When the world surrounding us prospers, so do we.

The agreement highlights the importance of investing in human rights and a robust diplomatic network. This signifies a necessary break from the previous administration’s approach: the Netherlands is no longer retreating itself but is choosing international engagement based on equal partnerships, with a focus on human rights and climate.

However, there are concerns. The resources allocated for the reconstruction of Ukraine come at the expense of poverty alleviation in the Global South. This creates a painful contradiction: support for one should never come at the expense of another.’

05 February 2026