DOEN Foundation Funding Opportunities

Enriched – · Found: 2026-03-13 16:47

For NGOs Foundation Grant Africa Global Biodiversity Capacity Building Circular Economy Waste Management
DOEN Foundation supports innovative initiatives addressing regenerative economy, solidarity society, and transformative imagination. Offers grants and loans for initiatives in circular economy, sustainable materials, landscape restoration, and social entrepreneurship in Netherlands, East Africa, and global south. Applications accepted year-round via online portal.

Source: https://www.doen.nl/aanvraag-doen/

Funding Details

Funder
DOEN Foundation (Stichting DOEN)
Funding Goal
Support innovative, entrepreneurial initiatives addressing three core themes: Regenerative Economy (including circular economy, sustainable materials, landscape restoration, and food system transformation); Social Solidarity (social enterprises and community-oriented initiatives); and Power of Imagination (transformative creative and cultural initiatives).
Funding Amount
Amounts vary by programme strand. Smaller grants from Postcode Loterij Buurtfonds and VriendenLoterij Fonds for Dutch/Caribbean projects; larger investments via DOEN Ventures (participations) for larger initiatives.
Deadline
Rolling basis - applications accepted year-round via online portal (Rolling)
How to Apply
Start with the online quick scan at doen.nl/en/applications/quickscan/ to check eligibility. If eligible, submit full application via DOEN's online portal at aanvraag.doen.nl. Regenerative economy applications go to Stichting DOEN; neighbourhood/community projects go to relevant lottery fund.
Target Region
Netherlands (all themes); East Africa (Regenerative Economy, Power of Imagination); SWANA region/Southwest Asia and North Africa (Power of Imagination); Caribbean islands (Social Solidarity)
Contact
doen.nl/en/support/contact/
Official Page
https://www.doen.nl/en/applications/
Last Checked
2026-05-07 02:11

Application Checklist

Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents

Summary

DOEN Foundation (Stichting DOEN) is a Dutch philanthropic foundation funded by proceeds from the Postcode Lottery (Nationale Postcode Loterij) and VriendenLoterij. It supports innovative, entrepreneurial initiatives addressing systemic transitions across three thematic areas. The Regenerative Economy theme is most relevant to plastic and circular economy initiatives. It focuses on initiatives accelerating the transition away from extractive, linear economic models towards regenerative approaches — including circular economy, sustainable materials and production, restoration of landscapes and ecosystems, and food system transformation. This theme operates in both the Netherlands and East Africa. The Social Solidarity theme supports social enterprises and community-oriented initiatives primarily in the Netherlands and Caribbean island territories. The Power of Imagination theme supports transformative creative and cultural change initiatives in East Africa and the SWANA region (Southwest Asia and North Africa). Eligible activities under Regenerative Economy include: circular economy business models, sustainable material alternatives, landscape and ecosystem restoration with economic components, and entrepreneurial waste reduction approaches. Activities must demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach and systemic change potential, not just service delivery. Geographic scope: Netherlands and East Africa for Regenerative Economy; Netherlands for Social Solidarity; East Africa and SWANA for Power of Imagination. Eligible applicants are entrepreneurial organisations (social enterprises, foundations, cooperatives, companies with social mission) working on innovative solutions. The foundation offers both grants and participations (equity/loan via DOEN Ventures) depending on the size and type of initiative. Applications are accepted year-round via the online portal. A quick scan tool helps organisations determine eligibility before submitting a full application.

Historical Context

DOEN Foundation is funded by proceeds from the Dutch Postcode Lottery (Nationale Postcode Loterij) and VriendenLoterij. It has operated since 1991. The foundation recently rebranded its themes to focus on 'Regenerative Economy', 'Social Solidarity', and 'Power of Imagination'. DOEN Ventures handles larger equity investments.

Sources

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