Education is a fundamental human right and a tremendous equalizer and enabler of opportunity. The Netherlands has an extensive educational support structure, but not all learners have equal access or achievement. Gaps in access to education remain due to low literacy rates, lack of digital access, challenges with refugee integration, and social inequality, disproportionately affecting many learners’ educational journeys.
This void is being filled by many education and learning NGOs across the Netherlands that are committed to closing these gaps, empowering young people, and improving the education system from the bottom up. So no matter if you are a parent, donor, teacher or member of parliament, supporting these causes can make a difference, in your own way, for a better future.
Want to make a difference in education? Support Dutch NGOs by donating or creating your own fundraiser today with WhyDonate
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Why Education NGOs Matter in the Netherlands
There is a well-organized public education system netherlands; however, there are systematic gaps. Important gaps include:
Literacy and Language Gaps
In the Netherlands, more than 2.5 million people do not have basic reading and writing skills. This issue disproportionately affects migrant communities and leads to problems with learning in education, access to good employment options, access to healthcare, and avenues for social participation.
Educational inequality
Usually, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are much further behind their peers in academic performance and do not have family support at home. These children often also lack access to activities and development resources outside of school.
Refugee and migrant students support
Refugees and newcomers need language support, a different focus on schooling, and emotional support to navigate their new experience in the Netherlands education system.
Teacher and school development
Many schools and teachers need up-to-date tools, structures that allow for collaboration to support teachers, and innovative approaches to enable new learning experiences based on what learners need in a digital age.
Education-based international NGOs in the Netherlands are heavily relied on to provide access to support these systematic issues through solutions that are focused, grassroots-based, and data-driven. They partner with schools, train teachers, facilitate learning spaces, collaborate with communities, and, in part, maintain attentive focus on uplifting learners who most need help.
The NGOs for education in the Netherlands bridge these gaps. They do this through after-school and out-of-school programs, teacher training, and community organizations so that no one is left behind. They also work with schools, municipalities, and funders to create sustainable change.
Top Education NGOs in the Netherlands
Despite the Netherlands’ strong education system, many children—especially refugees and low-income families—still lack access to quality learning. Education NGOs bridge this gap through schools, scholarships, and mentorship. Crowdfunding for education projects empowers these organizations to scale their impact, from building classrooms to funding STEM programs. Here is the list of 11 impactful education NGOs in the Netherlands, transforming lives through innovative learning programs and community initiatives.
1. Edukans
Focus: To develop education globally, teacher training, and youth empowerment.
Edukans works domestically in the Netherlands and applies international efforts to improve the quality of education worldwide. They provide teacher training, develop learning materials, and empower youth to take control of their own futures. Edukans helps raise awareness of the inequities behind education in the Netherlands through national campaigns and partnerships with schools.
2. Stichting Lezen & Schrijven
Focus: Adult literacy and language integration
The foundation seeks to improve low adult literacy, especially for Dutch as a second language speakers, through municipal, corporate, and health system partnerships that provide language-friendly environments and easy courses for reading and writing skills.
3. Stichting leerKRACHT
Focus: Teacher collaboration and school improvement
leerKRACHT’s mission is to stimulate innovation in Education through collaboration among educators. The NGO walks institutions through processes allowing them to develop shared routines within their practice around peer feedback, data-driven learning goals, and improvement, sustaining iterative processes that lead to a higher impact within and across classrooms.
4. JINC
Focus: Career guidance for underprivileged youngsters
JINC actively assists children from low-income families in building a better future through career coaches, company visits, and work experience programs. By practicing Positive and Inclusive Talent Development, their work strives to limit inequality in access to potential jobs and supports students in developing the skills and confidence they need.
5. Stichting Studiezalen
Focus: Enabling study locations for children in vulnerable positions
Focus: Stichting Studiezalen operates in low-income neighbourhoods and provides safe, inspiring, and guided homework locations with a mentor supervising. Their holistic support model also provides a level of emotional support, invites parents and others to participate in school-related events, and develops ties with schools.
6. Nuffic
Focus: Internationalization and cultural exchange
Nuffic is the Dutch organization for internationalization in education. The way that Nuffic approaches intercultural learning, student mobility, and global citizenship helps connect and support Dutch students studying abroad and assists in integrating international students into the local education system.
7. Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland
Focus: Education access for children in vulnerable positions
Most recognized for its annual stamp campaign, this non-governmental organization supports initiatives that provide children in difficult places with better opportunities in education, in life, and to be productive citizens. Initiatives include providing the opportunity to be digitally connected to learning, provision of school supplies, and provision of mental health support for children with trauma, who face poverty or family disruptions.
8. Stichting Vluchteling-Studenten UAF
Focus: Educating international students from refugee backgrounds
UAF is a service organization that assists refugees to acquire higher education in the NET, using scholarships, mentorship, Dutch language skills, and coaching to assist refugees to build independent futures in the Netherlands and contribute to Dutch society.
9. Net4kids
Focus: Support for education projects in developing countries
While its scope is international, Net4Kids also collaborates with Dutch companies to support the education and development of children abroad. By facilitating these relationships, Net4kids connects businesses to education and welfare projects related to youth, some of which have links to the Netherlands or diaspora population linkage.
10. Nederlands Jeugdinstituut (NJi)
Focus: Knowledge and development for youth
NJi is a national knowledge center that maintains active support for child and youth development and well-being, including educational outcomes. NJi provides national support to educators, researchers, and policymakers to ensure educational practices are well-informed with data, equity, and evidence-based practices in mind.
11. AbelloPeru Foundation
Focus: Holistic education and community development through music
The AbelloPeru Foundation is a Dutch-based education NGO supporting families in some of the poorest regions of South America. Starting in Callango, Peru, the foundation provides music lessons taught by passionate local teachers. Music education plays a key role in children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development, helping them grow creatively, build confidence, and learn collaboration. The foundation also promotes broader learning, including sustainability, self-sufficient living, healthcare, and creative skills.
Want to support this meaningful initiative? Check out the active fundraiser here.
How to Support These Education NGOs
Interested in getting involved? Here are some ways to support education in the Netherlands:
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Make a donation
Even small donations can make it possible to pay for books, mentors, or spaces to study in safely.
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Volunteer your time or skills
Most NGOs welcome the support of community members – whether it’s tutoring, career coaching, or anything else.
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Start a crowdfunding campaign
Using crowdfunding platforms such as WhyDonate, you can start a fundraiser for one of these NGOs or start a project on your own to support education, whether locally or globally.
Support Education in the Netherlands Today
Want to help address the education gap in the Netherlands? From improving literacy levels to empowering youth, these NGOs are having a real impact. Donate today or start your own fundraiser with WhyDonate. Your support will directly contribute to building stronger communities and brighter futures through education.
Conclusion
By supporting these education-focused NGOs, whether through donations, volunteering, or starting your own fundraiser, you can directly contribute to building brighter futures for countless children, young people, and families. Together, we have the power to create an inclusive education system that empowers every learner to reach their full potential.
Take action today with WhyDonate – launch your own campaign to make a real difference in education across the Netherlands.
