People at art gallery light installation

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We have been working in the Netherlands since 1945.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks, to get high quality education and gain internationally recognised English language qualifications.

We foster international dialogue between education institutions, arts organisations and policy makers in the UK and the Netherlands. We collaborate closely with our Dutch arts and education partners to identify and design specific activities and programmes in the Netherlands where the UK can add significant value.

In 2024-25 we reached over 127,000 people. We supported over 20 UK universities to engage in the Netherlands. We engaged over 7,000 people in cultural events. Our education work directly engaged over 6,200 people. Over 17,700 young people gained a British Council certified English language qualification.

 

A Year in Pictures 2024-25

Download our first a Year in Pictures to find out more about our work in 2024-25

75 NL-UK Stories

As part of our 75th anniversary as British Council in the Netherlands we shared 75 personal stories from people who have a special connection with both the UK and the Netherlands. Read the 75 NL-UK stories and join us in celebrating our 75th anniversary.

Coming Together - poem by Eric Ngalle Charles

Cameroon-born Wales-based writer, poet, actor and playwright Eric Ngalle Charles wrote 'Coming Together' to celebrate our 75th anniversary:

Coming Together

Dutch Rhine and Thames entangled
ancient mystics unravelling
two rivers breathing life
a cultural bridge
you and I
from ruins of war
a new bond formed

And we, witnesses
crossing
like migrants birds
ideas like twigs between our beaks
flying back and forth

A bridge built
memories traverse
holding,
at times hiding
many footprints

Soldiers, saints and pipe pipers
feeding from ripe fruit trees
planted in 45

on the shoulders of these great rivers
voices shout:

We hold our hands together
facing blue skies
walking on the path you paved
75 years now
each step
a maiden voyage          

Eric Ngalle Charles