Photo: Patrick van Katwijk / Oranje Fonds
Queen Máxima presented the Appeltjes van Oranje
Three social initiatives working against poverty and debt received the award at Noordeinde Palace. King Willem-Alexander and Princess Beatrix attended, and the statuette is made by Beatrix herself.
On Thursday Queen Máxima presented the Appeltjes van Oranje 2026 at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. King Willem-Alexander and Princess Beatrix attended the ceremony, which took place in front of representatives of all ten nominated initiatives.
This year's theme was "Samen armoede doorbreken", breaking poverty together. The award went to organisations that help people escape poverty and debt for good. The Oranje Fonds says poverty is about more than a lack of money: it affects health, opportunities and the ability to take part in society.
The three winners
The main award, the Grote Appel, went to Stek Den Haag for the project Buurt & Lukas, which works for community and mutual care in the neighbourhood.
The two other awards went to Stichting Doors Wide Open in Hof van Twente, which provides practical help and personal guidance to people living in poverty, and to the Mega D Youth Foundation on Sint Eustatius in the Caribbean, which offers homework support, meals, activities and talent development after school.
The statuette is made by Beatrix
The prize consists of a bronze statuette designed and made by Princess Beatrix, and 25,000 euros. The money can be spent freely within the aims of the winning initiative.
This was the 24th time the award has been presented. The arrangement is that the King hands over the prizes in anniversary years, while Queen Máxima does so in the other years. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima are the royal patrons of the Oranje Fonds.
The Queen gave a speech at the ceremony, addressing herself directly to those who have experienced poverty themselves and now help others. "What strength and what courage. I have real admiration for them", she said.