The Municipality of The Hague is once again offering gift cards to informal carers and volunteers in recognition of their contribution to the community. Applications opened on Wednesday 14 October and will remain open until 24 December 2026.
The annual initiative acknowledges the thousands of people who give their time and energy to support others, helping to make The Hague a city where residents look out for one another.
Recognising the People Who Make a Difference
Informal carers, known in Dutch as mantelzorgers, are people who provide unpaid care or support to a partner, family member, friend or neighbour who needs additional assistance because of illness, age or disability.
This might involve helping with shopping, household tasks, personal care or providing regular companionship. Unlike professional care workers, informal carers generally provide this support because of their personal connection to the person receiving care.
Volunteers also make an important contribution to life in The Hague, supporting sports clubs, neighbourhood initiatives, community organisations and a wide variety of local activities.
Through the gift card initiative, the municipality aims to recognise and thank both groups for their dedication.
Alderman for Care and Welfare Ralf Sluijs said:
“Behind every informal carer and volunteer is a story of commitment and dedication. They give their time, attention and energy to others. That makes a great difference to many people. With this gift card, we want to show that their efforts are seen and appreciated.”
Alderman for Volunteers Kavish Partiman also emphasised their importance:
“The efforts of volunteers and informal carers make The Hague a pleasant place to live. You may not always see them, but without them the city would come to a standstill. This gift card is our small token of appreciation for this quiet but indispensable group.”
Who Can Apply for a Gift Card?
The municipality has established separate eligibility conditions for informal carers and volunteers.
For informal carers:
- You must live in the province of South Holland.
- You must provide care for someone living in The Hague.
- You must have provided care for at least three months, for a minimum of eight hours per week.
- The person receiving care must be elderly, ill or have a disability.
For volunteers:
- You must live in South Holland.
- You must volunteer for an organisation based in The Hague.
- You must have been volunteering for at least three months.
Applicants must be at least 13 years old and can apply for the gift card once per year.
Residents who qualify as both an informal carer and a volunteer may apply for both gift cards, but must submit separate applications.
How to Apply
Applications are open from 14 October until 24 December 2026.
You can apply online through the municipality’s website using DigiD. Once the application has been submitted, the municipality will confirm within four weeks whether it has been approved.
Approved applicants receive access to an online shop where they can choose from more than 100 different gift cards.
The municipality may also carry out telephone checks to confirm that applicants meet the eligibility conditions.
Anyone who needs assistance with the online application can visit a Servicepunt XL, where staff can provide support.
The municipality is also encouraging residents to spread the word. If you know someone who regularly cares for a family member, friend or neighbour, or who volunteers their time to help others, they may be eligible for this recognition.
More information:
Gemeente Den Haag – Application Information and Eligibility Conditions (Dutch):
https://www.denhaag.nl/nl/zorg-en-ondersteuning/waardering-voor-mantelzorgers-en-vrijwilligers-aanvragen/
Gemeente Den Haag – Original Press Release (Dutch):
https://www.denhaag.nl/pers/persberichten/gemeente-bedankt-haagse-mantelzorgers-en-vrijwilligers-met-cadeaukaart/
Source & Image: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English/Editing: The Hague Online