About

Established in 1991 by the Dutch Postcode Lottery, the DOEN Foundation is committed to fostering a green, socially inclusive, and creative society. As the fund of the National Postcode Lottery and VriendenLoterij, DOEN supports pioneers and innovative initiatives that inspire and demonstrate that change is possible. The foundation provides grants, loans, and equity investments to a diverse range of projects, both within the Netherlands and internationally, particularly in East Africa and India.DOEN accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals at least four months prior to the planned project start date to ensure timely processing.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a legal entity (registered organisation, not individuals)
• Initiative must fit within one or more of DOEN's three themes (Regenerative Economy, Social Solidarity, Power of Imagination)
• Focus on pioneers and early-stage projects
• Organisation must be flexible and capable of attracting diverse funding sources
• Must demonstrate innovation and ability to inspire systemic change
• Geographic Requirements:
• Netherlands (all sectors)
• East Africa only: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda
• India only
• Projects outside these regions are not eligible
• Impact Requirements:
• Must demonstrate clear impact aligned with DOEN's objectives
• Should contribute to transitions toward sustainable and inclusive society
• Must show how DOEN's contribution will increase impact
• Should demonstrate ability to change markets or inspire systemic change
• Application Requirements:
• Applications must be submitted using online application form
• Must be submitted at least 4 months before planned project start
• DOEN may request additional information during assessment
• Selected candidates may need to provide further documents or expand on ideas
• The Foundation does NOT support:
• Individual applicants
• Projects outside the Netherlands, East Africa, and India
• Initiatives that do not align with the three core themes