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Wednesday, 3 February 2016 - 08:08
Still questions on Ukraine referendum funding
The Ukraine referendum committee already received 170 applications for subsidies. Half of them is "technically incorrect", for example they are missing a signature on a form. And some applications were lacking in content. That means that when the committee meets on these applications on Wednesday, they will only be able to make a final decision on a small portion of then, broadcaster NOS reports.
The committee has 2 million euros to distribute for the campaign leading up the the Ukraine referendum - the referendum on April 6th in which the Dutch population will vote whether or not to agree to an association agreement with the Ukraine.
Of that 2 million euros, the committee can give 700 thousand euros to "for" campaigns and 700 thousand euros to "against" campaigns. The remaining 600 thousand euros will go to neutral campaigns, for example websites which state the facts of the association agreement. Organizations and businesses can get up to 50 thousand euros, individuals up to 5 thousand euros.
On Tuesday SP parliamentarian Harry van Bommel stated that there are many ambiguities surrounding the way in which subsidies are awarded. According to him, organizations are told that they have to few signatures, while the application only provides space for a single signature.
The applications that are not in order will be sent back for more information or extra signatures.