This year there were a total of twelve applications for the Cultuurfonds Drenthe Nature Prize 2025, and 37 applications for the Cultuurfonds Drenthe Culture Prize 2025. With the prizes, the Cultuurfonds aims to put the cultural organizers and the people committed to nature active in Drenthe in the spotlight. Many foundations, associations, and individuals voluntarily dedicate themselves every year to culture and nature in Drenthe. Cooperation is of great importance. This leads to special projects that are meaningful for culture, nature, and the residents of Drenthe.
Both prize winners received a cash amount of €10,000, and the other nominees each received €2,500.
The Cultuurfonds Drenthe Nature Prize
The Cultuurfonds Drenthe Nature Prize 2025 went to Foundation Jeneverbesgilde Drenthe.
The Foundation has been committed for twenty years to the preservation of the juniper in the Drenthe landscape. With fifteen volunteer brigades, the foundation works on ecological restoration and cultural-historical awareness. The jury praised the guild for the impressive 156,000 hours of fieldwork they have carried out in twenty years and the ambition to involve younger generations through the traditional guild principle.
The other nominees were the Foundation Drents Agricultural Heritage and the Historical Association Annen (with their Shelter Congress).
The Cultuurfonds Drenthe Culture Prize
The Cultuurfonds Drenthe Culture Prize 2025 went to Foundation Ter Klinke.
The Foundation has been organizing large-scale open-air events since 2016 in which singing, music, and theater come together, always inspired by historical and often romanticized stories in the Drenthe regional language. Characteristic is the collaboration between local associations, young talent, and professionals. The project strengthens the sense of community in the region and reaches diverse target groups. The jury sees this as a special achievement that is meaningful for Drenthe.
The other nominees were the Foundation The Bake Shop and Foundation Amonet.
About The Cultuurfonds
The Cultuurfonds invests over 50 million euros annually in culture and nature. That money goes to about 4000 projects throughout the Netherlands, in the Caribbean part of the kingdom, and in Suriname. This is done with contributions from the Friends Lottery and Dutch Lottery, from our donors and sponsors, and together with our partners. Besides the national office in Amsterdam, there are 12 departments, one in each province, each contributing with its own budget to projects with societal impact.
