While global headlines have been fixated on DEI rollbacks in the United States, a quieter shift has been unfolding in the Netherlands, with proposed budget cuts wiping out higher education and internationalisation funding, the dismantling of migration and integration programmes, and slashes to development aid. As a nation once globally celebrated for inclusion, the Netherlands has recently found itself experiencing a crisis of conscience, as it struggles with the pressures of a new conservative government and changing public sentiment.
Caretaker Government
On June 3, it all came to a standstill when the Dutch government collapsed due to Geert Wilders and his PVV (Party for Freedom) withdrawing from an already fragile ruling coalition, citing disagreements over immigration policy. Although the Prime Minister and remaining state secretaries tendered their resignations, they will continue in a caretaker capacity at the King’s request until a new government is formed.
For those less familiar with Dutch politics, a caretaker (or demissionary) government continues to govern in a limited capacity until a new coalition forms. Crucially, it cannot propose or advance any new “controversial” policies—a category that often includes immigration, asylum, and internationalization. While the full list of controversial policies has not yet been determined, in effect, many inclusion-related initiatives may be impacted until after new elections at the end of October and a new government is formed.
Critical areas impacting Inclusion
Immigration & Asylum
With the PVV out of government after the June collapse over immigration, remaining parties are leveraging asylum policy as a key opportunity to demonstrate strict migration control to voters before the October elections, contradicting the supposed freeze on controversial topics.
The caretaker government has received parliamentary approval to continue with all asylum and migration measures already in progress before the cabinet collapsed. Despite objections from a few opposition parties, the majority supported allowing strict asylum laws and immigration policies to move forward.
This includes reclassifying Syria as “generally safe,” requiring Syrians to prove personal risk, freezing 17,000 pending asylum cases, and extending internal border checks with Germany and Belgium. Parliament plans to debate emergency asylum measures before the summer recess, with additional legislation expected in the lead-up to the elections.
Higher Education & Internationalisation
Major reforms to higher education are moving forward. A €1 billion cut to education and research budgets introduced in the Spring Memorandum, has been declared not controversial by the parliamentary committee on education, meaning it can proceed under the caretaker government.
At the same time, the Balanced Internationalisation Act (Wet internationalisering in balans) is also advancing, having also been declared non-controversial by parliament. The bill, which aims to limit English-taught programmes and reduce international student numbers, has likewise been cleared to proceed by the parliamentary education committee. If passed, the act could significantly impact the accessibility of Dutch universities for international students and will inevitably limit efforts to foster inclusive, multilingual learning environments for the future.
Development Aid
While most eyes are on domestic cuts, the Netherlands is also pushing ahead with deep reductions to its global development aid budget of €2.4 billion through 2029. Key DEI-focused programmes, from gender equity and inclusive education to scholarships like the Orange Knowledge Programme, have been scaled back or ended. These decisions, made before the government collapsed, remain unchanged.
On 19 June, the committee overseeing foreign trade and development confirmed these cuts weren’t “controversial,” meaning the caretaker government can carry on with implementation. For those working in international DEI, this confirms the current direction won’t shift until after elections and a new cabinet is in place.
Other areas of concern
While a lot of attention has gone to migration, education and development aid, other key inclusion-related areas are also in play. Employment reforms, such as protections for freelancers and access to vocational education, have been allowed to move forward. These decisions will matter for economic inclusion and will shape who gets access to fair work and training.
At the same time, there are other fundamental social protections in limbo. Disability services, healthcare access and welfare support haven’t yet been reviewed, which means that they are likely to remain on pause until a new cabinet is formed. For inclusion practitioners, this is a critical moment to monitor what’s changing and identify where you can fill emerging gaps.
The way forward
Political uncertainty challenges inclusion work, but it also creates opportunities to build something more resilient. So, what is the way forward?
Now is the time for organizations to assess which initiatives depend on government support and strengthen partnerships with civil society groups that can maintain momentum regardless of political winds. Building internal DEI capacity ensures inclusion efforts survive when external backing disappears. Now is not the time to cut back. The gaps will be much harder to bridge later if you don’t.
For the international education community, there’s an opportunity to step up where Dutch policy is pulling back. Ensure that you manage your budgets critically to sustain exchange, scholarship and development programmes wherever possible to ensure that Dutch students, researchers and workers can build the intercultural competence and international networks necessary for success in a globally connected future.
Businesses also have a role to play by maintaining international hiring pipelines, supporting inclusive partnerships, and investing in cross-border collaborations: this can help safeguard global connections that politics may undermine. True inclusion transcends political cycles.
While the Dutch government is operating in caretaker mode, Dutch society and the international community should focus on remaining fully engaged and not distracted by political theatre. This moment is a test for whether our societal and organisational commitments to inclusion run deep or exist only when politically convenient. The real work of inclusion has never belonged to politicians alone. This is your moment to lead.
About Blueyse
We’re driving societal change through community building, impactful, immersive experiences, and inclusive communications. Partnering with forward-thinking businesses, organizations, and change-makers, we’re committed to creating a more equitable society – by doing the right thing by doing things right The status quo isn’t working. It’s time for a fundamentally different approach.
Sources
https://www.government.nl/government
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/commissievergaderingen/details?id=2025A04760
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/commissievergaderingen/details?id=2025A04695