News item | 25-09-2025 | 16:15
Laptops from ministries get a second life. The devices are purchased by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, refurbished and then donated to people who can use them well. In this way, more people get the chance to participate in digital society. State Secretary Digitization Eddie van Marum today handed over the first laptop during a meeting in Leiden. In the coming years, tens of thousands of devices will be refurbished and given away by the ministry.
State Secretary Digitization Eddie van Marum: “Not everyone can come along in our ever -increasingly digitizing society. People with a lower income can sometimes not pay PC or laptop. If we don’t do anything about it, inequality in society grows. That is why I am proud that we are now starting to donate, but not being able to pay work laptops.”
Digital skills are just as important
Having a laptop is one thing. But knowing how you use it is just as important. More and more Dutch people are learning digital skills. Yet in 2023 17% of people had no digital skills. The government has been working for some time to improve this. In this way, residents can go to the Digital Government Information Points (IDO). These are free auxiliary points, often in libraries. Everyone can get help with digital government matters there. People can also call the Digihulplijn (free number 0800-1508) with questions about their computer, e-reader, mobile phone or internet.
This way devices get a second life
The implementation of the project lies at Stichting Allen Digitaal. Devices that the Ministry no longer uses are first thoroughly cleaned and refurbished. The foundation then passes on the devices to various social organizations, such as libraries and welfare organizations. Through these organizations, the devices eventually end up with people who cannot pay PC or laptop themselves. The project lasts at least until 2030. The more ministries make their used devices available, the more devices the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations can buy off and then donated.