11 May 2020 – Increased funding for free business coaching

Intervention Categories: Finance policy and financial aid; Stimulus packages and financial support
Level of Jurisdiction: National

Overview: The Dutch Government has allocated additional funding to support free professional coaching for small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Stichting Ondernemersklankbord (OKB) is an organization providing expert coaching to small businesses from former entrepreneurs. This usually takes the form of 6-month programs, in which businesses can make unlimited use of the expertise from OKB.

The Government has increased the subsidy to OKB for this year by €240,000, to allow free coaching to businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 measures (e.g. if they are in danger of going bankrupt). Previously, businesses had to pay a personal contribution of 150 euros for this. OKB assits more than 1,000 entrepreneurs every year, and is estimated to help over half of them restore their businesses.
Full details here: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19/nieuws/2020/05/11/ezk-maakt-coaching-voor-mkb-in-coronaproblemen-gratis