The Dutch government is introducing a renewed package of measures to strengthen Holocaust education, including additional projects, increased attention to the Holocaust within civic integration, and efforts to counter antisemitic chants at football matches.
These initiatives have been undertaken over the past eighteen months at the request of the National Coordinator on Countering Antisemitism (NCAB).
In the first progress report of the National Plan for Strengthening Holocaust Education, the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), Education, Culture and Science (OCW), and Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) announce that €750,000 per year in additional funding will be made available to support secondary schools in organising Holocaust-related educational activities.
Preserving the memory of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Sinti and Roma remains essential. This history illustrates the devastating consequences of groupthink, hatred, antisemitism, and other forms of discrimination. As these events become increasingly distant for younger generations, ongoing investment in the dissemination of Holocaust knowledge is crucial. The government therefore supports a range of institutions within the Second World War remembrance sector. These organisations play a central role in Holocaust education: they reach schools, welcome pupils and visitors, develop educational materials, and provide guidance to teachers.
From 1 January 2026, all secondary schools participating in the culture card scheme of the Cultural Youth Passport Foundation (CJP) will receive additional funding to organise activities related to the Holocaust. With this budget, schools may bring pupils to museums and theatre performances, or arrange guest lessons and workshops in the classroom. The funding may also be used to cover transport costs. A survey conducted by OCW shows that teachers would like to undertake such activities but are currently hindered by the time and financial burden of organising them independently. Involving CJP is intended to remove these barriers, while still allowing schools full autonomy in deciding how the funds are used. Teachers may therefore choose the activities that best complement their curriculum and approach to teaching about the Holocaust.
The government also attaches importance to ensuring that newcomers to the Netherlands gain knowledge of the Holocaust. Since 1 July 2025, Holocaust knowledge has formed an explicit part of the civic integration exam component on Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM). In addition, the Ministry of SZW is working to enable civic integration participants to visit institutions dedicated to Holocaust education as part of their integration process. These visits—to museums, memorials, or similar institutions—will begin in 2026 as part of a pilot project. The intention is to convey the key lessons of the Second World War to newcomers with greater impact. To support teachers involved in civic integration courses, a guidance document is also being developed.
The National Plan for Strengthening Holocaust Education was launched last year by VWS, OCW, SZW and the NCAB, with the aim of increasing Holocaust knowledge among the Dutch population. Concerns persist that such knowledge is declining, particularly as the number of eyewitnesses continues to diminish. Sustained investment in Holocaust education and remembrance is therefore vital. This year, the NCAB conducted a successful campaign, Learn about the Holocaust, which will be repeated in January 2026. The campaign seeks to enhance knowledge, awareness, and societal resilience among all Dutch citizens.
