Public raises over €100,000 after government halts theme park trip for asylum youth
Within hours, over 100,000 euros was raised through multiple crowdfunding campaigns to send young asylum seekers from a center in Friesland to the Efteling amusement park, AD reports. The public response came after Dutch State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Marjolein Faber strongly criticized the proposed outing, leading the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) to cancel the trip.
According to the COA, four separate crowdfunding efforts collectively raised more than 104,000 euros. “Heartwarming,” the COA said of the public’s response, but emphasized that the Efteling outing will not go ahead.
The idea for the trip originated after a confrontation occurred last year during a celebration in Sint Annaparochie. Tensions between young residents of the local asylum seekers center (azc) and neighborhood youth escalated, ending in a stabbing that injured three local men. The COA hoped that organizing a day trip to the Efteling could relieve tension among the young azc’ers and defuse future conflicts.
Faber, however, publicly condemned the plan. “No, this is not going to happen,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, calling the amusement park visit a "snoepreisje" (luxury outing). Later that day, the COA announced it would cancel the trip.
Despite the backlash, a spokesperson for the Efteling said the park had no issue with the group visiting. “We understand from the media that this group will visit the Efteling,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Everyone is welcome in the Efteling.”
The cancellation sparked strong reactions from both private individuals and public officials. One crowdfunding page on GoFundMe quickly surpassed its 10,000 euros target, raising more than 50,000 euros by 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The campaign’s page stated, “These children have no idea what the future holds (…) and want nothing more than to be carefree children today.” The organizer said the funds would be sent either to VluchtelingenWerk Nederland or the COA, so a day out in Kaatsheuvel could still be arranged.
Sybrand Buma, the mayor of Leeuwarden and chair of the Fryslân Security Region, also criticized Faber’s intervention. Speaking at Café Kockelmann, Buma said the minister had “thrown COA staff under the bus” with her public remarks. He stressed that for local municipalities, it was helpful that the trip had been planned as a preventive measure. “I really believe a minister should stand behind her people. And if she wants something different: just make a phone call,” Buma said. He also stated this was not the first time Faber had undermined her own staff, calling it “very improper.”
While many citizens rallied behind the canceled trip, PVV leader Geert Wilders welcomed the decision to scrap it. He posted on X, “I know of another trip that can happen: all of them on a bus out of the country.”
Despite the success of the crowdfunding campaigns, the COA announced Saturday afternoon that the donations are not necessary and reiterated that an Efteling trip is no longer being considered. A spokesperson said the agency still appreciated the public’s generosity.
“It’s heartwarming to see that Dutch citizens want to contribute to a joyful day for our youth,” the spokesperson said. “These children have experienced a great deal in their short lives, and a day out lets them feel like children again.”
