The dust has settled on another Black Friday, one of the best and busiest periods for offshore bank accounts, and a chance for savvy savers to scale back costs.
But if it’s feeling a little vacuous after this train wreck of a year then don’t worry as today is #GivingTuesday (December 1, 2020), and thus a well-timed opportunity to show support to Dutch-based NGOs.
This year has been uncompromisingly brutal in a myriad of ways. It has, more than ever, shone a light on domestic and international inequality and injustice, the importance of our mental health, and the fragility of all societies and real job security.
Beyond that, think of the whole spectrum of human rights abuses that have (frequently and increasingly) occurred, the worsening refugee crisis, the shocking abuses of democracy, the acceleration of environmental damage.
Luckily, the Netherlands is home to a number of NGOs tirelessly doing wonderful, essential work to fight back and protect those that need it most. But, of course, they need our help.
So if you want to give something extra, even if it’s just a little, then here are five worthy, Dutch-based organisations to inspire you this #GivingTuesday.
But first, what is #GivingTuesday?
Rather than re-inventing the wheel, here is how GivingTuesday describe themselves:
| “GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
“Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give.” |
The Dutch have their own version that uses the hashtag #WatDoeJij. The idea is that people can sign up their cause and the website works as a platform to advertise them. They are placed on an interactive map with all the necessary, important information.
This article lists broader, more internationally recognised organisations, but don’t forget to check out the map for the worthy causes in your local area. The more the better.
5 NGOs to get inspired on GivingTuesday
CARE Nederland
CARE Nederland is a humanitarian organisation with expertise in Climate Change and Resilience, Governance and Stability, Humanitarian Emergencies, and Women’s Economic Empowerment. If you make a #GivingTuesday gift donation, it will be matched three-fold to send emergency aid to the more than 360,000 malnourished children in Yemen.
👨💻 Website: carenederland.org
📍 Based in: Den Haag
Amnesty International
Amnesty International fight human rights abuses worldwide, striving for justice, changing oppressive laws, and freeing those jailed for voicing their opinion. This time every year is the world’s biggest human rights event called the Write for Rights campaign, where millions of individuals write letters, sign petitions and organise events for the cause.
👨💻 Website: amnesty.org/www.amnesty.nl
📍 Based in: Amsterdam
UNICEF Nederland
What they do: UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil their potential. They focus on a broad range of aspects such as child protection and inclusion, research, education, female empowerment, and the reduction of poverty through social policy.
👨💻 Website: unicef.nl / www.unicef.org
📍 Based in: Den Haag
Stitching Vluchteling
Stitching Vluchteling provide immediate assistance to refugees and displaced persons worldwide (currently some 79.5 million people). This includes shelter, medical care, relief supplies, food, clean drinking water and sanitation.
The ongoing #500kinderen campaign is attempting to persuade Dutch MPs to allow immediate shelter for 500 refugee children (in place of just 100) from the Mória refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. It was described as ‘the worst refugee camp on earth’.
👨💻 Website: vluchteling.nl
📍 Based in: Den Haag
Fair Wear
An organisation fighting for ethical fashion, which they believe is about fundamental rights. Fair Wear work with their 140+ member brands to find a fairer way to make clothes, working directly with factories, trade unions, NGOs and governments.
The NGO lends expertise to companies of all sizes, audit (based upon their Fair Wear Code of Labour Practices) and give training (the Workplace Education Programme) to factories, and promote complete transparency.
👨💻 Website: fairwear.org
📍 Based in: Amsterdam
Donating is just one way of helping
This article was inspired by #GivingTuesday, but of course, this is an all-year-round issue. So many NGOs are in dire need of support as an increasing number of people are in dire need of immediate help.
However, many of us may not be in a position to offer financial donations, and if we are it may not be sizeable at all. But financial donations are just one way of helping.
If you can’t make a monetary donation, consider instead:
- signing up to NGO newsletters,
- following them on social media and sharing or commenting on their posts
- signing up to events,
- learning about issues and other cultures,
- listening closely,
- spreading the news,
- volunteering if you have the time,
- writing petitions,
- staying up-to-date.
There are countless ways of offering support and to join the fray. Get others involved, too.
And remember: for all the desperately heart-breaking events happening in the world, there are always people on the front-line fighting to protect others, to offer life-saving assistance, and to push for justice and equality.
Let’s give them the support they deserve.
Have a happy #GivingTuesday, and let us know if you’ve joined in and how!
Are you taking part in #GivingTuesday this year? Tell us in the comments below!
Feature Image: Puwadon Sang-ngern/Pexels