Organizers can get back to work planning and organizing events from 1 July 2021. With a subsidy scheme, the government guarantees costs incurred in the unlikely event that the event cannot take place due to corona restrictions. In that case, the organization will receive the largest part (80%) of the costs back as a gift, the other costs are reimbursed in the form of a loan. 385 million euros has been reserved for this scheme. On the proposal of State Secretary Keijzer of Economic Affairs and Climate and Minister Van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science, the Council of Ministers has agreed to send the outline of the scheme to the House of Representatives.

Due to the corona crisis and the measures in force, most events could not take place in 2020. The cancellation costs were in many cases covered by cancellation insurance. Insurers have since removed this option from their cancellation policies. As a result, organizers can no longer bear the financial risk of cancellation for upcoming events themselves.

State Secretary Keijzer: “Our Dutch events sector is internationally leading, and we would like to keep it that way. Not only the organizers, but the public also yearns for a concert, a festival, a football match. But organizing an event takes time. The current corona crisis not only makes planning difficult, bearing the costs also creates uncertainty. With the guarantee that is given with this arrangement, we want to remove that uncertainty, so that the organizers and all those entrepreneurs who are behind it can get back to work and hopefully we can all enjoy an event again in the summer ”.

De support is intended for professional organizers of events that are scheduled in the Netherlands between 1 July and 31 December 2021. This concerns festivals, concerts, sports events and business events. With this scheme, the government guarantees the costs incurred, should the event unexpectedly be canceled due to the then applicable corona measures. The cabinet is making every effort to provide clarity 3 to 6 weeks before the planned event. In that case, the organization will receive the largest part (80%) of the costs back as a gift, for the remaining 20% ​​a loan can be taken out. Extra costs that, in addition to the foreseeable costs for safety, must be incurred if last-minute safety requirements are set, are not covered by this scheme. The national government reports this on their website.

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