Not every good idea fits within the lines of existing education. Sometimes a plan is too new, too different or simply not yet proven, which makes the route to funding for an initiative challenging. That is precisely where the SAKO foundation wants to play a role.

The fund supports initiatives that give children and young people more opportunities through education. The conviction behind this is clear: real change often starts small, but it does need room to grow. We spoke with treasurer Marnix Wansink about SAKO's mission, the projects they support and why experimental initiatives in particular can, in his view, make a difference.

How SAKO grew into a fund for educational innovation

The SAKO foundation has its origins in the 1970s, when the Catholic church community made resources available to promote education. Society has changed considerably since then, and the fund developed along with it. Today the SAKO foundation focuses mainly on projects that contribute to equal opportunities, so that every child gets the chance to develop to their full potential.

As a result, the role of the foundation has shifted: from offering education to supporting innovative developments. The theme of 'reducing inequality', however, still plays an important role. Where SAKO once played a more active role, it currently focuses mainly on the financial support of projects.

For projects that need knowledge, support or collaboration, the Education Innovation Fund (Onderwijs Innovatie Fonds, OIF) was created. OIF was set up to be more outward-facing, to find initiators and to create connections between projects. Where SAKO focuses mainly on funding, OIF provides visibility, network and collaboration.

Which projects and initiators does SAKO support?

SAKO is there for people and organizations with a concrete plan that contributes to equal opportunities and to the development of children, young people and students in the Netherlands. Think of foundations, associations or initiators who want to carry out a project and are looking for funding for it.

It is mainly about initiatives that add something that does not yet exist: new forms of learning, different approaches to existing problems, or projects that reach a target group that often remains out of sight. It does not have to be a perfectly worked-out plan, but it should be a clear idea with the potential to deliver results.

Which educational projects does SAKO fund?

These values are reflected in the projects that SAKO supports. From an international "Peace Boat" where young people travel the world for three months and come into contact with social themes, to initiatives in which primary school pupils spend a week working alongside companies and present their own ideas. Smaller but impactful projects also get room: such as programmes in which children not only receive a meal, but learn to cook themselves and thus build skills as well as self-confidence. Each one is an initiative that goes beyond help alone; they open up new worlds for children and young people.

Fast funding for innovative educational initiatives

SAKO wants to keep applications accessible. No long processes, complicated conditions or multiple conversations before anything can happen. If an initiator has a clear plan, the goal fits SAKO's mission and the contribution can really make a difference, the fund wants to be able to decide quickly. Especially for innovative projects, which do not yet find funding as a matter of course, such quick support can be the push needed to move from idea to execution.

SAKO is not a fund for regular costs. It is not intended to keep existing structures running, such as filling gaps in a school budget.

Support, network and advice through OIF

For initiatives that are not yet fully worked out, OIF plays an important role. There, initiators can turn for advice, sparring and connection with other projects. This results not only in better plans, but also in a network in which initiators learn from each other.

SAKO and OIF complement each other in this: where one helps to make plans stronger, the other ensures that they can actually be carried out.

SAKO offers room for innovative ideas in education

SAKO is not a traditional fund with extensive procedures and fixed frameworks. It is a small, pragmatic party that can act quickly and is open to new ideas.

For initiators, that means: do you have a concrete plan that can truly make a difference for children or young people, but it does not fit anywhere within the existing structures? Then SAKO is exactly the place where you can turn.

Want more information about the fund or would you like to submit an application? View the profile of Stichting SAKO here.