by THOLEditor | Nov 14, 2026 | News
The Hague is reporting a €14 million funding shortfall for homelessness services, as major Dutch municipalities call on the national government to provide at least €100 million more each year for emergency accommodation and support.
The appeal comes from the four largest cities, known as the G4, together with the G40 network of cities. In a press release issued ahead of the parliamentary debate on 11 November, the municipality said national funding was failing to keep pace with the cost of providing shelter.
The reported shortfall in The Hague compares with €18.5 million in Amsterdam, €15 million in Rotterdam and €4.9 million in Utrecht. These figures are those provided in the municipal announcement.
Municipalities provide maatschappelijke opvang: temporary accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness. The cities say they are having to cover substantial additional costs from their own budgets.
The Hague’s alderman responsible for homelessness services, Arjen Dubbelaar, called for the national government to provide funding that matches the responsibilities placed on municipalities.
The cities support the Wonen Eerst, or Housing First, approach, which prioritises access to a safe, stable home. However, they argue that housing plans will take years to deliver results and that adequate shelter is needed in the meantime.
The appeal highlights the pressure on local services while longer-term housing solutions are developed. This report covers the municipalities’ funding request; it does not report an outcome from the parliamentary debate.
Source: gemeente Den Haag press release, 11 November 2026. Translated and adapted into English by The Hague Online.
Photo: Jurriaan Brobbel / gemeente Den Haag.
by THOLEditor | Nov 13, 2026 | News
Kunstmuseum Den Haag has received approval for €2.5 million in preparatory funding to develop plans for renovating and improving the sustainability of its historic Berlage building. The museum says it will remain open until at least 2030.
The city council has approved two credits covering further work on renovation options and the future storage of the art collection. This moves the project forward from the proposals reported by The Hague Online in October.
The funding is for preparation and investigation. It does not represent approval of the full renovation programme. The council is expected to decide on the work to be carried out in spring 2027, once the options have been developed.
The studies will examine the building’s technical requirements, sustainability and visitor facilities, including access for people with disabilities and larger groups such as school classes. Improvements to the historic garden and museum operations are also among the options.
Separate work will consider how to store the collection safely in future, including the possibility of a new depot, the storage space for artworks that are not on display. The museum will also develop a plan to keep its collection visible during a future closure.
For visitors planning an outing, the immediate message is that the museum remains open. Any closure would begin in 2030 at the earliest, according to the announcement.
The municipality owns both the building and the collection. Kunstmuseum manages the collection, including the world’s largest collection of works by Piet Mondrian, and presents exhibitions and activities for the public.
Source: Kunstmuseum Den Haag press release, 13 November 2026. Translated and adapted into English by The Hague Online.
by THOLEditor | Nov 12, 2026 | News
Lukas Vonk, Evelien Jansen and Bibi Roos have won the 2026 Piket Art Prizes, announced at Theater aan het Spui on Monday 9 November. Illustrator Eline van Dam, known as Zeloot, received the Piket Jury Prize.
The annual awards support promising professional artists with a connection to The Hague. Vonk won in the painting category, Jansen in dance and Roos in theatre. Each of the three category winners receives €6,000 and a Hamer award created by artist Joep van Lieshout.
The jury highlighted Vonk’s exploration of the body through media including sculpture, video and sound; Jansen’s commitment and presence as a dancer and performer; and Roos’s writing and performances as her alter ego Funny Bergman.
The jury prize recognises a person or organisation for a cultural contribution in the Hague region, particularly one that benefits younger artists. Zeloot’s illustration work combines a clear visual language with social engagement.
The other nominees also received support: €3,000 and a Hamer award each. The prizes have been awarded since 2014 in memory of art lover Frederik Hendrik Piket.
Read more about the Piket Art Prizes (in Dutch)
Source: Piket Kunstprijzen, press release/update dated 09/11/2026.
Photo: De Schaapjesfabriek.
by THOLEditor | Nov 11, 2026 | News
As the festive season approaches, residents planning New Year celebrations in The Hague should be aware that the city will not grant exemptions for consumer fireworks for the 2026–2027 celebrations.
This is a reminder of Mayor Jan van Zanen’s decision announced on 9 October, rather than a new announcement. The Hague Online reported the decision at the time.
Read our original report on The Hague’s fireworks decision
The national consumer-fireworks ban took effect on 1 August 2026. Although the legislation provides a route for qualifying local associations and foundations to apply for exemptions, the mayor has chosen not to use it for the first New Year under the new rules.
Small category F1 items, such as sparklers and snap pops, remain outside the consumer-fireworks ban, according to the municipality’s October safety update. Professionally organised displays are a separate matter and require the appropriate permissions.
Do not assume that a traditional neighbourhood celebration includes an authorised fireworks display. Details of individual New Year events and any professional displays should be checked with the organiser closer to the date.
Read the national government’s announcement
Source: Gemeente Den Haag, 9 and 14 October; Rijksoverheid, 1 July 2026, press release/update dated 09/10/2026.
Photo: An October 2026 fireworks collection point at Regentesseplein. Valerie Kuypers / Gemeente Den Haag.
by THOLEditor | Nov 11, 2026 | News
CupHub, Legumia and Core Solutions have been named the winners of The Hague Innovators Awards 2026, recognising local entrepreneurs developing practical solutions to social and environmental challenges.
The winners of the twelfth edition were announced on 10 November at Schaal Je Impact in the Fokker Terminal in The Hague. Organised by ImpactCity, the municipality’s programme for impact entrepreneurship, the awards support businesses as they develop and scale their ideas.
CupHub wins €15,000 main prize
CupHub received The Hague Innovator Award, worth €15,000, for Casey, its portable menstrual cup cleaner. The product is designed to make reusable menstrual cups easier and more hygienic to use, including in places without a washbasin. The company also works to tackle period poverty.
Student award for Legumia
Legumia won the €3,500 The Hague Student Innovator Award for food products made from pulses. Its aim is to make healthy, sustainable food accessible to a wider audience while supporting the shift towards more plant-based protein.
Public vote recognises Core Solutions
Core Solutions, founded by Rik van Wieren, won the Audience Award. Its PillenPopper helps people with limited hand function remove medicines from blister packs independently, addressing a daily task that can be difficult or painful.
THOL readers may recognise Rik from our recent community story. Read more about Rik and the development of the PillenPopper.
Supporting innovation in The Hague
The awards have supported entrepreneurs for twelve years, with previous winners including Seepje, Naïf, North Sea Farmers and Droppie. They recognise ideas across areas such as sustainable food, health, inclusion, the energy transition and climate adaptation.
Marijn Fraanje, the municipality’s director for urban development and the economy, presented the prizes. He highlighted how the winners combine innovation with social impact.
Source: ImpactCity / Municipality of The Hague, press release dated 10 November 2026.
More information: https://www.impactcity.nl/
Image: The winners at Schaal Je Impact in the Fokker Terminal. From left: Sophie Haccou (CupHub), Rik van Wieren (Core Solutions) and Leoni Riste (Legumia). Photo: Danny van der Sluijs.
by THOLEditor | Nov 10, 2026 | News
The number of self-employed people without employees in The Hague has fallen slightly, against a rise nationally, according to a KVK analysis published on 10 November.
Between 1 January 2025 and 1 October 2026, the national total grew by three per cent. Among the larger municipalities in the analysis, The Hague recorded a decrease of 0.3 per cent, while Delft grew by 1.5 per cent and Rotterdam by 0.4 per cent.
KVK says growth is increasingly concentrated in knowledge-intensive sectors such as information technology, specialist business services and education. In contrast, the number of self-employed people in health and social care declined in several cities, including The Hague.
The figures describe changes in business registrations across sectors and places. They should not be read as a verdict on the prospects of every individual freelancer or business.
For residents considering self-employment or reviewing how they work with clients, KVK provides information and an advice team. The appropriate arrangement depends on the actual working relationship.
Contact the KVK advice team
Source: KVK, update dated 10 November 2026.
