Rulebook

Please note: the Samenwerking & Schaalvoordelen subsidy closed on 1 May 2025.

In this rulebook, the following terms apply:

• Collaboration plan: a description of the self-employed individuals involved, with an explanation of what they want to achieve, how and when they want to achieve it, and what the costs are.
• Applicant: the organization that submits the application on behalf of the collaborating self-employed individuals.

1. This subsidy is open to self-employed individuals in the cultural and creative sector. Based on the SBI code with which the Applicant is registered with the Chamber of Commerce (NL: KvK), we determine whether they belong to the target group. Click on the following link to view the target group: SBI target group list.
2. All self-employed individuals involved must belong to the target group.
3. The Applicant can apply for an Exploratory Grant using the application form on the Oog voor Impuls website.
4. The Exploratory Contribution amounts to a maximum of €5,000 (incl. VAT) for the exploration of cooperation between self-employed individuals and is determined on the basis of the Cooperation Plan. The amount of the Exploratory Contribution is determined upon approval of the application and will not change thereafter. Increases or decreases in actual costs will not be taken into account.
5. The Exploratory Contribution will be transferred to the Applicant’s bank account within four weeks of approval of the Plan.
6. The Incentive Contribution amounts to 0.5% of the turnover of the collaborating organisations, with a maximum of €2,500 (incl. VAT). The Incentive Contribution is awarded on the basis of a document showing that the collaboration has been formalised (for example, a contract or collaboration agreement) and on the basis of official documents showing the annual figures (incl. turnover) of the past financial year. The Incentive Contribution is transferred to the bank account of the Applicant within four weeks after the Incentive Contribution has been approved.
7. The possibility to declare the Incentive Contribution expires 13 months after the application date. The final declaration date is stated in the email with instructions that is sent after approval of the application.
8. The application for an Exploratory Contribution will be rejected if the collaboration qualifies for financing from another subsidy. The application for an Exploratory Contribution may be rejected if, in Platform ACCT’s opinion, it does not align with the intent of the subsidy.
9. Applications can only be submitted via the designated website and only by the Applicant.
10. The Applicant will receive confirmation within 6 weeks whether the application for the Exploratory Contribution has been approved or rejected. If we have any questions about the Plan, we will contact the Applicant. After approval of the application, the Applicant will receive an email with instructions for applying for the Incentive Contribution.
11. Collaborating self-employed individuals may only use this subsidy once.
12. Platform ACCT and Oog voor Impuls have no role in the agreements on the distribution or expenditure of the Exploratory Contribution and Incentive Contribution.
13. The collaborating self-employed individuals may be asked to cooperate in, among other things, general research into employment conditions in the sector or within their own professional practice.

Last update: 1 May 2025

The substantive assessment of the submitted applications is carried out in collaboration with the knowledge and service center CAOP. CAOP supports the applicant(s) in refining the collaboration plan and provides financial and administrative expertise. Do you have a question about submitting an application or the collaboration plan, or would you simply like to exchange ideas about the collaboration you have in mind? Please contact CAOP at +31 (0)6 572 111 70 (available Monday to Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00). If there is no answer, you can also contact CAOP at +31 (0)6 225 975 02.

The government-provided incentive budget for the Samenwerking & Schaalvoordelen subsidy is limited. Applications can be submitted as long as there is a budget. Every quarter, a decision can be made to change or discontinue Samenwerking & Schaalvoordelen.