Chair and Members Advisory Committee Subsidy Scheme Social Initiatives Slavery Past

BZK is looking for a chair and three members for the Advisory Committee for the Subsidy Scheme Social Initiatives Slavery Past. This newly to be set up committee provides independent and impartial advice to the executive organisation of the scheme – Implementation of Policy (hereinafter referred to as: IoP) of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment – on the alignment of subsidy applications with the objectives of the scheme. IoP implements this scheme under the responsibility of the State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations.  

The Scheme Social Initiatives Slavery Past in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom

On 1 July 2023, the King gave an impressive speech in the Oosterpark, in which he apologised for the Dutch slavery past and asked for forgiveness for the obvious lack of action against this crime [slavery] against humanity. The apologies of the King followed those of Prime Minister Rutte on 19 December 2022. In the letter sent to the Senate and the House of Representatives in response to the apologies, the Cabinet stated that recognition of and apologies for the historical suffering form the basis for contemporary social recovery. In this context, €33.3 million has been made available by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) for initiatives in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The scheme is implemented by IoP.

The Subsidy Scheme Social Initiatives Slavery Past (duration 2025 - 2028) aims to support initiatives that focus on:

• gaining a better understanding of the impact of the slavery past and counteracting the consequences of the impact of the slavery past in the present;
• coming to terms with the slavery past;
• promoting knowledge and awareness of the slavery past; or
• recognising and commemorating the slavery past.

This is what you will do as chair or member of the Advisory Committee 

IoP checks all applications for the subsidy scheme on completeness and whether they meet the criteria of the scheme, including the aforementioned objectives. If, in subsidy categories 3 and 4[1], a subsidy application appears to be ineligible because (in the opinion of IoP), substantively, the plans do not sufficiently align with the objectives as specified in the scheme, the intention to reject the application is submitted to the Advisory Committee for an opinion. The Committee assesses whether the project is (yet) sufficiently related to the slavery past and the objectives of the scheme and issues a written opinion on this to IoP within six weeks. The opinion is taken into account in the final decision to reject the application, and the applicant is informed accordingly.

This means that the Committee meets on an ad hoc basis - depending on the number of proposed rejections that need to be considered. The members of the Committee perform their duties without interference or consultation.

You recognise yourself in this

You have knowledge of and affinity with the slavery past. You are sensitive, with an eye for the diversity of needs and standpoints that exist on this theme. Furthermore, your intercultural communication skills are well developed and you are aware of the sensitivities surrounding the slavery past – specifically in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The final composition of the Committee must incorporate the following aspects: 

• demonstrable connection with the countries (islands) of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom;
• commitment to the community of descendants of enslaved persons in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom;
• affinity with the impact of the slavery past, specifically in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom;
• commitment to human rights and social justice, particularly in relation to the slavery past.

Furthermore, it is important that a member of the Committee cannot be involved in a possible (future) application under the scheme. This is to guarantee the independence and impartiality of the Advisory Committee. The names of the members and chair of the Advisory Committee will be made public.

Establishment of Committee

You commit for a period of two years. The level of the remuneration is specified in the establishment decree of the Advisory Committee.

You receive an attendance fee for each meeting you attend. The remuneration is capped at 3% of the maximum of salary scale 18. The maximum fee as at 1 July 2024 is XCG 752.00 / NAF 752.92 / USD 417.72 / EUR 360.63 per meeting, including preparation time.

Your application

Are you interested in this position? Then apply before 9 January 2026. You receive a reaction within 14 days.

Do you still have questions about the vacancy or the application procedure? Then contact Carlein Kuperus via carlein.kuperus2@minbzk.nl.