Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Since 2005, VSO Netherlands has had a 5-year agreement with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, department Development Cooperation, for €4,5 million in funding for the HIV&AIDS Programme Right to Life (R2L). This agreement forms part of the governmental Thematic Co-Financing Programme 2006-2010 aimed at the development themes set by the Dutch government.
VSO Netherlands also receives support through PSO, an umbrella organisation for capacity building of civil society organisations in developing countries. PSO is directly liased to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Dutch government supports good governance initiatives in 36 partner countries, with a focus on human rights and a good business climate that boosts employment and revenue. This also underlies Dutch efforts in the field of Education, HIV&AIDS, Water, the Environment, and Reproductive Health. The government concentrates on these themes because they all contribute towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs carries out its development policy through various channels. These range from small-scale initiatives to World Bank activities. The government realises that in all its efforts to tackle poverty, it needs the resources, networks and skills of private citizens, the business world, civil society organisation and institutions. Therefore the government considers working in partnerships as crucial in order to share risks, responsibilities and rewards.