AMFO finances the projects of Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) on the Netherlands Antilles. NGO’s that need financing in order to realize their projects can file an application at one of the offices of AMFO.
The general goal of this financing is to promote social development, society’s self development and innovation on the five islands.
AMFO has one donor: the Dutch government. This donor has promised to put an yearly amount with a maximum of 9 million euros available for subsidy which will be divided between the five islands as follows:
| Bonaire |
18 % |
| Curaçao |
38 % |
| Saba |
8 % |
| St Eustatius |
8 % |
| St Maarten |
28 % |
This division is based on the size of the island, the number of NGO’s and the number of inhabitants.
AMFO was founded in 2002 and became operational in 2004. AMFO was re-organized between October 2005 and December 2006. AMFO has been operational in its new format since May 2007.
AMFO aims at achieving a structural solution for poverty and social exclusion on the islands of the Netherlands Antilles.
AMFO will realize its vision by administering and granting financial means in a rightful and effective way to projects and programs on the islands of the Netherlands Antilles. Our focus will be on the themes Poverty Reduction, Social Care & Welfare, Training & Education.
AMFO highly values an integral approach, empowerment and improvement in the situation of several vulnerable groups within society on the basis of equality between individuals.
AMFO strives to promote the reduction of poverty and a long-lasting social development in which the following serves as a guiding line:
- Develop and stimulate youth and youngsters;
- Aim not only at the problem, but execute mostly actions which are preventive and offer solution;
- Promote innovation, creativity and innovation in the approach to problem solving and problem prevention;
- Promote self development of the NGO's;
- Along the lines of the framework (“Kaderbrief 2007/2008”) as presented by the Secretary of State for Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations.
AMFO is working on a lasting solution to poverty and social exclusion on the islands of the Netherlands Antilles through the following three perspectives:
1. The integral approach in the neighborhoods
2. Strengthening NGO’s so that they can carry out projects independently
3. Cooperation between the various funds in the Netherlands Antilles
AMFO favors an integral neighborhood approach. This approach is used by many organizations worldwide. The small-scale project in residential areas is the key concept.
The idea behind this approach is that residents often have a strong bond with their immediate environment. They will thus be more willing to invest and contribute to improve their immediate living environment.
The cooperation between NGO’s, various neighborhood organizations, shops, neighborhood residents and is a lot more than one would expect in the first instance. Cooperation is the key word in this context. Cooperation not only ensures fraternization, but also contributes to the mutual understanding and empowerment of the residents. This will support the development of the districts and thus the environment of the residents benefit.
AMFO aims at the themes:
1. Care & Well-Being
2. Formation and Education
AMFO focuses on the following target groups:
a.The youth
b.The elderly
c.The chronically ill and the disabled
d.(One person)households, including a number of vulnerable groups, such as single parent’s families, addicts, the homeless, (ex-)delinquents and the illegals (which is a great problem on St. Maarten)
The youth is the target group with the highest priority.
