KRALENDIJK – On June 22, Deputy Timoteo Silberie officially launched the Budget Planner. The Budget Planner is an educational method that various social organizations on Bonaire will use to help residents gain better insight into their financial situation and manage their income and expenses more effectively.
During the official launch, Deputy Silberie emphasized the importance of financial awareness and prevention: "Financial independence starts with knowledge. By giving residents the right tools, we can continue to build — together with our partners — a Bonaire where fewer people end up in problematic debt situations and where more residents have control over their financial future."
As part of its approach to addressing financial problems, the Department of Community and Care of the Public Entity Bonaire organized a train-the-trainer program in October 2025, in collaboration with the National Institute for Budget Information (Nibud). Representatives from seven social organizations participated in the training.
Nibud is an independent knowledge and information institute in the field of household finances, committed to a Netherlands free of financial problems. During the training, the foundation was laid for the development of the Budget Planner, practical educational material that supports professionals who guide residents through financial difficulties.
The development of the Budget Planner is linked to the program Working towards Prosperity and Well-being of Bonaire. Based on this program, various working groups have been established, including the Debt working group.
This working group consists of representatives from the Public Entity Bonaire, the Financial Social Work department of Sentro Akseso, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW), and NVVK (the trade association for debt counseling and financial services). The working group focuses on further developing the legislative process, debt restructuring, preventive support, and budget management, as well as strengthening collaboration between chain partners.
In this context, a working session was recently organized in the Netherlands. During this meeting, the partners were introduced to the relevant parties in European Netherlands, and collaboration opportunities were discussed with several municipalities, including Tilburg, Utrecht, and Amsterdam.
Collaboration with Akseso and other partners
The Public Entity Bonaire will continue to work, in collaboration with Sentro Akseso and other partners, on the further development of preventive and curative debt counseling. Through new strategies, activities, and partnership agreements, efforts are being made to strengthen the financial independence and well-being of the residents of Bonaire.
