Registration Appeltjes van Oranje 2017 has started
Children that grow up in vulnerable situation are the focus of the Appeltjes van Oranje 2017. With the theme Powerful Children in mind, the Oranje Fonds seeks organizations that devote themselves to these children. In order to be considered for this prize, an initiative will need to assist children with their development, improving their surroundings or provide support to the parents. Registration is possible until September 23rd via oranjefonds.nl/appeltjes. On May 2017, three organizations will be awarded an Appeltjes van Oranje.
Vulnerable
Children belong one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. The family situation and surroundings have great influences on their development. Fortunately, in our kingdom, there are many initiatives that work with children, and their family, on their development. They appoint a buddy to children who have difficulties keeping up at school, assist children with a language deficiency or connect a family from the neighborhood with another family that could use some support. This kind of beautiful examples is what the Oranje Fonds is looking for.
‘Invaluable’
Ronald van der Giessen, director of the Oranje Fonds, explains: “Every child deserves the same opportunities in life. However, due to factors such as a hard family situation or a language deficiency, children sometimes have a false start. The initiatives that help them to prosper in life are invaluable. We are looking for initiatives that are successful in their approach, help these children with their development and make a difference in their lives. We ask all projects that do so, to please apply for the Appeltjes van Oranje!”
Appeltjes van Oranje
The Appeltjes van Oranje is an annual award of the Oranje Fonds for initiatives that have successfully managed to connect different groups of people and creating a livable society. In doing so, they are an example to others. The prize consists of a bronze statue, made by Princes Beatrix, and a cash prize of €15.000. Each year the awards are handed out by Queen Máxima at Palace Noordeinde. In lustrum years, King Willem-Alexander himself will hand out the prize.
Oranje Fonds
The Oranje Fonds supports social initiatives in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The past year € 31 million has been invested in supporting initiatives that allow for people to meet each other, feel a less sense of loneliness, understand each other and make an effort for one another. The Oranje Fonds is sponsored by, amongst others, the Nationale Postcode Loterij, De Lotto, as well as by friends and businesses. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have been the official patrons of the Oranje Fonds since its inception.