From 25 August to 6 October 2025, grant applications can again be submitted for the Subsidy Programme for Responsible Business (SPVO). This RVO fund supports social sustainability and greening in production chains of Dutch companies.
Social themes
Approaching European legislation on responsible business demands a more active role of Dutch companies that are active in international supply chains. SPVO supports entrepreneurs who want to make their production chains socially sustainable. The subsidy programme focuses specifically on:
- Improving living income/wages of employees and (small) producers
- Combating child labour
- Improving working conditions.
The OECD guidelines are the assessment framework.
Greening
The theme of “greening” has been explicitly added to this new SPVO opening. Social and green themes are often linked and with the addition of the “greening” theme, we want to encourage entrepreneurs to address social and environmental risks in their production chain in conjunction. This could include using natural resources more efficiently or preserving biodiversity and the environment. It also includes measures to improve the livelihoods of local communities. However, greening measures should always contribute to the social themes mentioned above. For instance, to increase the income of local farmers or to improve working conditions, as in the case of regenerative agriculture.
Sharing lessons learned
Another new emphasis concerns the emphasis on knowledge sharing of lessons learned from the SPVO project with other entrepreneurs in the sector through sector agreements or multistakeholder initiatives. This way companies not eligible for SPVO funding can still access this knowledge and not have to reinvent the wheel.
Important deadlines
- 25 August - 6 October 2025: submit grant application (on a first come first served basis)
- Until 8 September 2025: submit quick scan (mandatory)
A final opening will then follow in early February 2026.
More information
Read more about the conditions for submitting to SPVO and the eligible country list on the RVO-website: Subsidy Programme for Responsible Business. Here you will also find the quick scan form and application forms.