Netherlands ends funding for Rotterdam floating climate center, likely to move to Kenya
The Netherlands will stop funding the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Rotterdam after next year, threatening the future of the institute and raising the prospect of relocation to Kenya, NOS reported.
Founded in 2018 as a global hub for climate adaptation, the GCA has faced growing controversy over its ties to Kenya. Director Patrick Verkooijen drew criticism this year when, during a state visit, he praised President William Ruto as “a true leader in a turbulent world” in an unsanctioned speech that broke protocol and angered Dutch officials. Ruto’s government has been accused of violent crackdowns on protests.
The Dutch government cited budget cuts for ending subsidies but acknowledged tensions with GCA. Rotterdam, which built a floating office for the center and pledged free housing through 2030, said it had not been informed of relocation plans.
The U.K. has also ended support, while the Gates Foundation is weighing its role; together, those donors accounted for about half of GCA’s funding last year.
Director Verkooijen also became head of the University of Nairobi in 2024, while the GCA awarded the university 1.2 million euros in contracts. Critics called it a conflict of interest; Verkooijen denied wrongdoing.
The GCA has warned it will shut its Rotterdam base and relocate to Nairobi without renewed Dutch support. Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Netherlands to reconsider, saying, “It would be much better to stay in the Netherlands.”
