Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the applicable measures, most events could not take place in 2020. Cancellation costs were covered in many cases by cancellation insurance. However, insurers have now removed this option from their cancellation policies. As a result, organizers can no longer bear the financial risk of cancellation for upcoming events themselves.

There is still a lot of uncertainty in 2021. The coronavirus has not disappeared, and we are now confronted with other variants. At the same time, vaccination has started, which provides perspective. Currently, it is expected that by July everyone aged 18 and older who wants to be vaccinated will have received their first shot. The high interest from people wanting to participate in a practical test (field lab) shows that a large part of the population is looking forward to attending a concert, festival, or football match. Therefore, the cabinet finds it important that the sector and society receive more perspective and certainty. Thanks to this guarantee, it is now possible to start organizing events so that they can take place as soon as it is safe and responsible.

State Secretary Keijzer:

Our Dutch event sector is internationally leading, and we want to keep it that way. Not only the organizers, but also the audience longs for a concert, a festival, a football match. However, organizing an event takes time. Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, it is not only difficult to plan, but also bearing the costs creates uncertainty. With the guarantee provided by this scheme, we want to eliminate that uncertainty so that organizers and all the entrepreneurs behind them can get back to work, and hopefully, we can all enjoy an event together again in the summer.

Minister Van Engelshoven:

In my discussions with representatives from the festival industry, it has become clear that they need perspective to start organizing. This scheme provides them with the certainty to begin organizing summer and autumn festivals. If it turns out that we can organize significant safety measures based on the results of field labs and the increase in vaccinations, more visitors can attend festivals and events. We can again enjoy music and all those other forms of culture that we currently miss so much.

The support is intended for professional organizers of events planned in the Netherlands between July 1 and December 31, 2021. This includes festivals, concerts, sports events, and business events. With this scheme, the government guarantees the incurred costs if the event cannot take place due to applicable COVID-19 measures. The cabinet is working to provide clarity 3 to 6 weeks before the planned event. In that case, the organization receives the largest part (80%) of the costs back as a grant, while a loan can be taken for the remaining 20%. Extra costs that must be incurred beyond the foreseeable safety costs due to last-minute safety requirements are not covered by this scheme.

Previously planned events can be moved to a date from July 2021 to be eligible for this scheme. Although it is unimaginable that events can take place as they did before COVID-19 starting July 1, the cabinet assumes that the situation around that time will be more manageable and that it will be responsible to start organizing events again. With this guarantee, the event sector is sufficiently equipped to cautiously begin the restart of events that many are eagerly looking forward to.

Where can entrepreneurs turn?

For questions about the support and recovery package for COVID-19, companies and employees can visit rijksoverheid.nl/supportpackage. Entrepreneurs can also go to the website of the Chamber of Commerce for more questions: kvk.nl/corona. If the answer to your question is not there, call the advisory team at 0800 – 2117.

Read more about the subsidy scheme for events in case of cancellation.