The Dutch welfare state: a shift in focus

Through the examination of the decentralised social policy, the Participation Act of 2015, this study looks into the effects of the shift towards activation policies within the context of the Dutch welfare state. The main objectives of the Act aimed to reduce welfare dependency and promote labour force participation by providing municipalities with new tools and powers. Despite this, the rigid approach of the Act has led to mixed outcomes across multiple target groups. The challenges faced by Rotterdam, the city with the highest percentage of poverty and welfare dependency of the Netherlands, further supports this claim. Evidence illustrates that only certain groups experienced a slight increase in employment rates, such as the group of young disabled young persons, however, issues of income stability and job security persisted. Furthermore, a disconnect is revealed between actual individual needs and the implemented activation measures, on both a national and local level. As a response to these issues, the Dutch central government presented the Balanced Participation Act, which underscores trust-based and personalised methods. The outcomes of this paper contribute to the wider discourse on the evolution of the welfare state, especially in the context of activation policies, as well as the role of local and central governments in social welfare provision. Finally, this study emphasises the importance of balancing local needs and capabilities with broader national objectives.