Ask before a child leaves the team: Leergeld reached nearly 200,000 children

A pair of sports shoes, a school laptop or one music lesson may not be the household’s largest bill, yet it can become the point where a child quietly withdraws from peers. Leergeld Nederland reports supporting 198,295 children in 2025, an increase of 12,478 or about seven percent. Its network supplied 553,883 provisions connected with education, sport, culture and wellbeing, through 113 local foundations and around 1,750 volunteers. Applicants use their postcode to find the responsible local organisation, and working households may also face circumstances that justify asking. Hokimi’s view is that help should be explored before arrears, a cancelled membership or a child having to explain family finances. Checking local criteria, documents and processing time is more protective than assuming the household probably does not qualify. The purpose is continuity: preserving an ordinary school, team or cultural routine while adults deal with the financial pressure.

• Leergeld supported 198,295 children in 2025, around seven percent more than in 2024.
• The network delivered 553,883 provisions related to education, sport, culture and wellbeing.
• It consists of 113 local foundations and approximately 1,750 volunteers.
• Applications start with the postcode finder, and working families may also ask about eligibility.

Hokimi field note: Use the postcode finder for the local Leergeld foundation, identify one activity at risk next month and check the documents. Do not travel to the national office as if it were a local service desk.

Information verified on 24 August 2026 · Source1 · Source2