Government spent €600,000 on mindfulness program for civil servants
The Dutch government is facing massive budget cuts to its civil service, yet it continues to spend large sums on mindfulness training for employees. A program aimed at helping workers "discover the power of attention" cost 600,000 euros last year alone, even as ministries are being pressured to find ways to cut 1 billion euros from the civil service budget by 2029.
The program, called Mindful Rijk, was launched in 2018 to promote "positive psychology within the civil service." It claims to enhance employees’ adaptability and self-reflection, skills deemed essential for handling change, unpredictability, and teamwork. Methods used in the program include workshops on mindful listening, working from personal strengths, and even "mindfulness and menopause." Weekly digital "recharge points" allow civil servants to participate in guided sessions to develop "meta-skills for personal growth." A dedicated team of five employees oversees the initiative.
According to a spokesperson, the program cost 600,000 euros in 2024, with 197 civil servants attending full training sessions and another 2,000 participating in workshops.
When questioned about how such spending aligns with upcoming budget cuts, the government provided two separate responses—one from Minister of the Interior Judith Uitermark (NSC) and another from State Secretary Zsolt Szabó (PVV), both from the same ministry. This division is unusual, as ministers from the same department typically present a unified stance.
Uitermark stated that budget reductions should be implemented wisely, with each ministry determining its own spending priorities. However, she did not directly address whether Mindful Rijk should be included in the cuts.
Szabó, on the other hand, was more critical. “I believe we should take a hard look at the necessity of trainings and courses in general, particularly those, like mindfulness, that contribute little to my policy goals and priorities,” he said. “Especially now that the government faces serious budget constraints.”
He emphasized his focus on investing in practical job training, particularly in digital skills development, rather than courses aimed at psychological well-being.
The mindfulness initiative is far from the only costly training program within the Dutch government. Recent reports have shown that ministries spend millions of euros annually on diversity and inclusion programs, including a “gender in conflict and crisis” course and even a boat tour exploring the legacy of slavery.
