Minister Ploumen announces partnerships 2016-2020
The past months, weeks and final hours were without a doubt exciting. Last Friday afternoon, the announcement finally came in: the proposals for partnerships that were submitted by Both ENDS, have both been approved by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are incredibly happy that we can bring this great news to our colleagues from Southern partner organisations, who are dedicated to making the world a better place to live in.
Drain
On the other hand, we are aware of the huge consequences of budget cuts on development cooperation as well: a large number of Dutch colleague-organizations, and therefore also their local partners, will be hit hard by these cuts. We realize that this means that our network of civil society organisations will be weakened.
Fair, Green & Global
The Fair, Green & Global Alliance, of which we have been secretary since 2011, will continue working to achieve our ambitions for a fairer global trade and financial system. The six Dutch members of the alliance and their expansive network of southern partners are pushing for more stringent social and environmental regulations for businesses and investors, better legislation for- and regulation of labour circumstances, and supporting those whose rights have been violated. As an alliance, we have also been increasingly devoting more attention to the development of alternatives that could function as models for sustainable and inclusive development.
Women’s and environmental organisations
Together with MamaCash, Both ENDS is member of the ‘Green Alliance for Gender Action’, of which Fondo Centroamericano de Mujeres (FCAM) is the secretary. Globally, the well-being of many women is inextricably linked with the quality of their living environment. And increasingly more organizations that fight for a cleaner living environment, safe drinking water and the right to food are being led by women. Yet, women’s rights and sustainable development are two divided worlds. So with this partnership - the only one out of the 25 selected partnerships being led by a southern organization - we want to bring together local women's and environmental movements, and show how they -together- can make a difference in the fight against poverty, injustice and environmental degradation.
Lobby & advocacy
With her decision, Minister Ploumen acknowledges the knowledge, expertise and commitment of our southern network, and the added value of working from ‘both sides’ – locally and globally – for better rules, respect for human rights, and the development of sustainable and fair alternatives. Together with minister Ploumen, we will strive to put the financing of these activities more prominently on the agendas of national and international donors.
Update about the good news on the website of FCAM (Spanish)
Update about the good news on the website of FGG (English)
Update about the division of partnerships in ViceVersa online
Read more about this subject
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Letter / 14 juli 2026
Statement on CAO Cambodia Microfinance Case
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Publication / 3 juli 2026
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Dossier /Gas in Mozambique
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Dossier /Finance for agroecology
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Dossier /Trade agreements
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Publication / 18 juni 2026
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Publication / 12 mei 2026
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Press release / 12 mei 2026UN report warns of a growing sand crisis - The Dutch dredging sector plays a key role in global sand extraction
GENEVA/UTRECHT, 12 May 2026 – A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Sand and Sustainability: An Essential Resource for Nature and Development, warns that global demand for sand is exceeding ecological limits. Large-scale extraction of sand from marine and coastal ecosystems is leading to biodiversity loss, damage to coastal communities and increasing risks in an era of climate change. Dutch dredging companies play a prominent role in this as global market leaders in large-scale sand extraction and land reclamation. “Our analyses show that the dredging sector operates globally within a system in which ecological damage and the consequences for coastal communities are systematically underestimated, whilst transparency and effective oversight are often lacking,” says the Dutch environmental and human rights organisation Both ENDS, which contributed to the report.
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News / 14 april 2026New report: Phasing out ISDS in the Netherlands: a roadmap
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Dossier /Rights for People, Rules for Corporations – Stop ISDS!
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Publication / 14 april 2026
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Publication / 10 april 2026
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News / 10 april 2026Both ENDS: strengthened FMO complaints mechanism is a step forward, but major gaps remain
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News / 9 april 2026Minister Sjoerdsma hosts roundtable conversations with civil society
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News / 26 maart 2026New project: Climate Accountability in EU Trade
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News / 24 maart 2026Statement: Invest in local leadership for tropical forest management and local economies
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News / 19 maart 2026Winners of the ILED ‘Women Are Educators Award’ announced
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