Dutch Diamonds Partnerships (DDP)
The content of this page has been checked on 15 September 2026
Dutch Diamonds Partnerships (DDP) aims for a sustainable, climate-friendly transformation and market development in the water and food sectors, other sectors and value chains.
Apply from 7 December 2026 to 15 February 2027.
Budget
Do you represent a business, civil society organisation or knowledge institution? Are you interested in working together in a public-private partnership on water security, food security or sustainable market development?
If so, your project in low- or middle-income countries may be eligible for a subsidy from the Dutch Diamonds Partnerships (DDP) programme.
'Dutch Diamonds' refers to the collaboration between governments, businesses, knowledge institutions and civil society organisations. DDP aims to support sustainable, climate-friendly change in the water and food sectors. The subsidy programme also boosts market development in other sectors and value chains. Projects may qualify for a subsidy under one of the following 4 themes:
- Water security and water safety (SDG 6)
- Food security (SDG 2)
- The relationship between water and food security (the water-food nexus, SDGs 2 and 6)
- Sustainable market development (SDG 8).
We aim to provide clear and accessible information on our website. This information is intended as a general guideline and is not legally binding.
The official, legally binding terms are published in the Government Gazette. Please consult the official publications in the Government Gazette for the most accurate and up-to-date legal terms and requirements.
The official publication of this subsidy is available in Dutch. For your convenience, you will find an English translation at the bottom of this page. In case of discrepancies, the Dutch version prevails.
Aim
The subsidy programme aims to support sustainable, climate-friendly change in the water, food security, other specific sectors and value chains. Climate, gender equality and biodiversity are essential elements in all projects. The programme has the following sub-objectives.
Creating an enabling environment
Creating an enabling environment
An enabling environment refers to a market with the right conditions for sustainable improvements to products and services. It also means removing barriers that hinder these improvements. The DDP programme seeks partnerships that work with relevant market players as equal partners to create this enabling environment.
Improving products and services
Improving products and services
Public and private organisations, knowledge institutions and civil society organisations from the Netherlands and partner countries work together in long-term partnerships as equal partners. They start with local demand and share their knowledge and experience. By working from local needs and exchanging knowledge and experience, they develop affordable, sustainable and climate-resilient products and services together. These solutions fit the local situation and help solve global problems related to water security, water safety, food security, and other sectors.
Boosting market development
Boosting market development
Strong market development ensures the long-term availability of products and services. When partnerships develop and test inclusive business models, the market can scale these up, making them financially viable.
For whom
Representatives of businesses, civil society organisations and knowledge institutions can apply for a subsidy under one of the 4 Dutch Diamonds Partnerships themes. The lead applicant applies for the subsidy on behalf of the partnership.
For a full description of the organisations that can apply, see section 4.3 of the publication in the Government Gazette. The official Government Gazette publication is in Dutch. A translated English version is available at the bottom of this page.
Lead applicant
Lead applicant
The lead applicant applies for the subsidy on behalf of the partnership. The lead applicant must also have an interest in achieving the programme's aims. An organisation may submit no more than 2 applications as lead applicant during each application round. The lead applicant must represent one of the following types of organisations:
- an organisation with its registered office in the Netherlands; or
- an organisation with its registered office outside the Netherlands and a branch or permanent establishment in the Netherlands.
Partnerships
Partnerships
Public-private partnerships focus on improving water security, food security and/or private-sector development in low- and middle-income countries.
We challenge businesses, civil society organisations and knowledge institutions to work together to find innovative solutions. For example, a project that results in higher agricultural yields by using nature-based solutions or raw materials, land, water and fertilisers more sustainably. Another project contributes to local employment opportunities and better working conditions, with particular attention to the position of women and young people.
The Dutch Diamond approach is a multi-stakeholder approach. It involves businesses, local governments, civil society organisations and knowledge institutions. By working together, they combine their knowledge and resources to help create sustainable solutions that fit the local situation.
A partnership can include up to 6 partners. The following partners are required. Each partnership must include at least:
- one business with its registered office in the Netherlands; a foreign business with a branch or permanent place of business in the Netherlands can also be a partner;
- one local civil society organisation, local knowledge institution or local business;
- one civil society organisation or knowledge institution. This can be local or non-local;
- one local government organisation.
Please note: If the local government organisation cannot sign the partner agreement form immediately, it must do so within 3 months after the subsidy is awarded.
Trade associations may also be partners, but this is not required.
Each partnership must meet the following conditions:
- The partners' aims must match the aim of the subsidy.
- The partners must show that they manage their finances well.
- The partners must have experience with the activities for which they are applying.
- The partners must be able to carry out the activities effectively and efficiently.
Partners may take part in more than one application during the same application round. The following restrictions apply to partners for each application round:
- A partner may take part in only one application per partner country and per theme.
- An organisation may take part in only one application per partner country.
- An organisation may take part in only one application per theme.
If partners do not meet these rules, we will only process the first application. We will reject any later applications.
Consult the official publication in the Government Gazette for all conditions. The official Government Gazette publication is in Dutch. A translated English version is available at the bottom of this page.
Partner countries
Partner countries
For an overview of the partner countries, sectors and value chains, see the DDP partner countries webpage (in Dutch).
Budget and project duration
The available budget for the first application round is 51 million euros. Partnerships can apply for a subsidy of between 500,000 euros and 3 million euros per project. DDP distributes the budget between the themes as follows:
- €10 million for water security and water safety;
- €10 million for food security;
- €10 million for the water-food nexus;
- €21 million for sustainable market development in specific sectors and value chains linked to specific partner countries.
We pay the subsidy in instalments. During the implementation phase, all payments are advance payments.
Project activities may last up to 60 months (5 years). The activities must start within 3 months after the subsidy is awarded.
Own contribution
Own contribution
The following applies to each project:
- the subsidy may cover no more than 70% of the total eligible costs;
- the subsidy you apply for must be at least €500,000 and no more than €3 million;
- the partnership must pay at least 30% of the total eligible costs itself. This is called the own contribution.
The own contribution for this subsidy programme may consist only of:
- the partners' own money (cash contribution);
- the partners' own working hours (in-kind contribution).
You may not finance the cash or in-kind contributions with:
- fixed assets, such as equipment or machines, that have been donated to the partners by others;
- resources that have been obtained, directly or indirectly, from a subsidy or from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the budget for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.
Consult section 5 of the publication in the Government Gazette for an overview of all eligible and non-eligible costs. The official Government Gazette publication is in Dutch. A translated English version is available at the bottom of this page.
Who benefits
DDP benefits the following people and organisations in one of the partner countries. They cannot apply for the subsidy themselves, but they benefit from the activities made possible by this subsidy.
- Small and medium-sized producers and service providers in the food, water and non-food sectors, such as SMEs, independent farmers, fishermen and nomads.
- Consumers and small and medium-sized organisations that benefit from better water safety, water security, food security or improvements in other sectors and value chains.
- Entrepreneurs and service providers who benefit from improved services and products as a result of the project.
- Knowledge institutions, civil society organisations and public authorities that are not part of the partnership, but who want to contribute to knowledge sharing and strengthening organisations in the partner countries.
- Women, young people and minorities involved in food and water projects and specific value chains.
Conditions
To receive a subsidy under this programme, your project must be in line with the programme aims and fit one of the following themes:
- Water security and water safety
- Food security
- The relationship between water and food security (the water-food nexus)
- Sustainable market development.
Partner countries
Your application will usually cover one partner country. In the following situations, it may cover more than one partner country:
- Your project aims to improve the management of a river, river basin, lake or ecosystem that crosses several partner countries.
- Your project is directly linked to the Northern Corridor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, or the Lobito Corridor in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. Both corridors cross several partner countries.
- You can clearly explain why your project needs to cover more than one country.
You cannot apply for or receive funding for projects or activities that:
- aim to spread a religion or belief (proselytism);
- involve racism, stigmatising statements, antisemitism or other forms of discrimination that are prohibited under Dutch or European law;
- harm biodiversity, the climate or the environment;
- already receive a subsidy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or from Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation;
- already receive an institutional subsidy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- aim to make a profit;
- are part of the financial sector, such as financing models or revolving funds. This does not apply to insurance schemes or the development of specific credit products in partner countries;
- consist of product research and development. The products or services must already work in practice and be ready for upscaling;
- consist only of single training sessions that do not fit within the multi-year project;
- consist only of exports or investments, especially if these investments can be recovered quickly or financed by the market;
- directly or indirectly generate voluntary carbon credits.
To receive a subsidy under this programme, your project must also comply with responsible business conduct (RBC) and meet the SEAH conditions.
Responsible Business Conduct
Responsible Business Conduct
Your project must follow the guidelines for international responsible business conduct (iRBC). We take this into account when we assess your subsidy application. Your project must:
- follow the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;
- show how you carry out your activities in line with these OECD guidelines;
- not carry out any activities that are on the FMO exclusion list;
- assess social and environmental risks carefully;
- tell us what measures you will take to prevent or reduce these risks;
- report on these risks during the project. You must also report on the measures you take or plan to take to reduce them.
SEAH conditions
SEAH conditions
Subsidies are subject to SEAH conditions. We expect organisations in the partnership to have developed an integrity policy. Also, to have procedures in place to implement that policy effectively. You must report any cases of sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment that happen during your RVO-funded project. For more information, see our page on Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH).
How to apply and quick scan
This subsidy is intended for projects under the 4 themes. For the conditions for each theme and information on how to apply, see the relevant theme page. There you will also find details about the required quick scan and the quick scan form.
Start by selecting the theme that matches your subsidy application.
The quick scan document is available on each theme page.
Project administration
Submitting a progress report
If you receive a subsidy, the lead applicant must report on the project's progress. More information will soon be available on the Project Management page. You can also download the template there.
Reporting changes
Notify us as soon as possible of any changes to your project, your organisation and how you carry out the project. For some changes, you must ask for our permission in advance. If you do not do this, you may not receive the subsidy for the changed parts of the project. In some cases, you may not receive the subsidy for the entire project.
Submitting a final report
After your project ends, you must submit a final report. The template for this report will soon be available on the Project management page.
Laws and regulations
- Besluit subsidieprogramma Dutch Diamonds Partnerships (in Dutch) (Government Gazette, 14 Augustus 2026)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs