The Dutch government’s STAP budget has proven exceedingly popular, with the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) announcing that over 200.000 people in the Netherlands successfully managed to apply for funding via the scheme in 2022. 

STAP budget proves popular amongst workers in the Netherlands

First launched back in the spring, the so-called STAP budget, or Stimulering Arbeidsmarkt Positie budget, was implemented by the Dutch government as a way to financially support those in the Netherlands looking to further their careers. 

Through the scheme, people with jobs and unemployed people over the age of 18 can apply for a 1.000-euro subsidy to cover the costs of a course or training programme. Applications re-open every two months, and each round has seen the UWV receive tens of thousands of applications within only a few short hours. 

UWV: Over 200.000 applied for funding through the scheme

November 1 marked the last application round for this year, with all of the available funding used up within just five hours of applications opening at 10am. With the next round not opening until the new year, the UWV was able to see exactly how many people had made use of the budget in 2022. 

According to the UWV, over 200.000 people successfully submitted applications this year, looking to enrol on one of the over 100.000 courses that were covered by the scheme. In total, the government made approximately 180 million euros available to fund the scheme. 

Interested in applying yourself? The next round opens at 10am on February 28, 2023.