The DOEN Foundation believes in a green, socially inclusive and creative society. They witness how people use enterprising approaches to actively come up with innovative solutions for a better world. They take the lead, dare to take risks, and create change. They break through old structures and cast new perspectives on current challenges. These innovators are also an inspiration to others.

With the contribution of the Dutch Charity Lotteries, the DOEN Foundation supports over 200 initiatives annually, through subsidies, equity investments, and loans. They support both large and small initiatives and they act from the philosophy: subsidize where necessary, provide equity investments, loans and guarantees where possible.
Apart from financially helping these pioneers to realize their initiatives, the DOEN Foundation connects them to each other and brings their initiatives to the attention of a broad audience.

What they do:

Green, Socially Inclusive and Creative

DOEN Foundation supports pioneers who work hard to establish a greener, more socially-inclusive, and more creative society, in which:

• - the capacity of the planet is the starting point (green);
• - everybody can participate, where people work together and help each other with respect for individual needs and possibilities (socially inclusive);
• - art and culture are at the heart in the belief that society can not do without (creative).

The DOEN Foundation supports initiatives that focus on one of these three themes. Within these themes, they work with programs which specify the type of initiatives we support.

GREEN

The DOEN Foundation’s aim is to add to the transition of a green and innovative economy where inspiring entrepreneurs contribute to a better world for people and the planet. These companies work actively to establish sustainable change in the whole production chain, from procurement to sales. To achieve impact financial profit is a precondition, not an end in itself.

SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE

DOEN believes in a socially-inclusive society in which everyone can participate and make a contribution. The initiatives that DOEN supports offer vulnerable people a place where they can feel they are part of a community and enables them to develop. They can then integrate in society again and become more involved with each other and with their environment. DOEN is searching for social pioneers with projects that are characterised by entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

CREATIVE

DOEN believes in the power of creativity in society. Art and culture fascinate the public and confront and connect people. Creativity is often the driving force for change because it challenges people to think beyond what already exists.