Grant - Cultural projects

The municipality of Zoetermeer supports activities, projects, organizations, and institutions that contribute to the cultural capital of the city. Does your institution organize one or two cultural projects or activities per year? If so, you can apply for a subsidy of up to €5,000 per project. You can apply for this subsidy throughout the year.

How does it work?

With this scheme, the municipality encourages one-off, public-oriented cultural projects that contribute to strengthening cultural capacity in Zoetermeer. Examples include music, theater, dance, visual arts, literature, photography, or projects that promote cultural participation and cultural education.

You can apply for a subsidy of up to €5,000 per project. The municipality will reimburse up to 70% of the total project costs. You will be responsible for financing the remaining 30%, for example through funds, sponsorship, ticket sales, or your own resources.

You must submit your grant application at least 13 weeks before the start of the activity. The activity must start and/or take place within 6 months after we have awarded the grant.

Assessment framework

You can apply for a subsidy if you:

  • A cultural creator, organization, or foundation that organizes cultural activities.
  • Registered with the Chamber of Commerce.
  • You are not a cultural institution.
  • Submit an application no more than twice a year.
  • Submit the application completely, on time, and in the correct manner.
  • No other municipal subsidy is received for the same project.

Conditions

The project for which you are applying for a grant: 

  • Is open to the public.
  • Takes place in Zoetermeer.
  • Is of a one-off nature (no structural activities or multi-year programs. Multiple days are permitted).
  • Gives shape to at least two of the four elements of cultural capital.
  • Reaches or strengthens residents of Zoetermeer.
  • Strengthens the cultural network and adds something new to the current offering.

No subsidy will be granted for:

  • Political or religious activities.
  • Commercial activities or training courses.
  • Activities for which you can provide enough money yourself (for example by asking participants for a contribution).
  • Activities that already receive subsidies from the municipality through another scheme.
  • Costs incurred prior to the application.

Apply for subsidy

Apply for cultural projects grant

Enclose with your application:

  • A detailed questionnaire (see below) in the form of a project plan.
  • A balanced budget including a coverage plan.

Questionnaire accompanying grant application for cultural projects grant program (pdf)

Tool for applying for and (interim) accounting for subsidies (Excel)

Are you applying for a subsidy for the first time? 

Please include the following attachments with your application: 

  • Excerpt from the Chamber of Commerce.
  • Most recent substantive and operational annual report.
  • Most recent financial statements with balance sheet.

Account for subsidy of cultural projects (interim)

You do not need to submit any accountability reports for this subsidy scheme. However, we do conduct random checks each year to verify that the subsidy has been spent in accordance with the agreements made. Therefore, please retain all accountability documents for at least five years. 

How long will it take?

You can apply for a grant throughout the year. We assess applications four times a year. The deadlines for each round are: January 1, March 1, May 1, June 1, and September 1. 

If you have applied for a subsidy online, you will immediately receive a confirmation of receipt by email. This will also include your file number. You will receive a second message after the municipality has checked that all the required documents are included with the application. The application will then be processed.

The processing of your application takes 8 weeks. This period may be extended once by 6 weeks. As long as the subsidy application is incomplete, the decision period will be postponed.

The decision will tell you whether you will receive a subsidy, the amount, and the conditions. If approved, you will receive 100% of the subsidy amount awarded. The subsidy will be determined immediately.

Also see if you can apply for grants elsewhere

There are several funds and foundations you can apply for grants from, for example:

Useful links

General

Contact Subsidy Office

The Grant Office can be reached from Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the general telephone number 14 079. You can also send an email to ondernemingbureau@zoetermeer.nl .