Colonies of Benevolence
The Colonies of Benevolence were a unique experiment in combating poverty. These domestic agricultural 'colonies' were established between 1818 and 1825 in wild moorlands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (now the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg). The goal of the Colonies was to make the poor self-sufficient by offering them work on the land, schooling, moral education and shelter.
The traces of the Colonies are still visible everywhere in the landscape. Straight avenues are dotted with monumental buildings placed in a rigid rhythm. The small colony farms for poor families and the square institutions are typically surrounded by larger farms for groups of orphans and vagrants.
About one million Dutch descend from people who lived in the Colonies of Benevolence. Although this idealistic plan did not have the desired result at the time, it is an important chapter in world history.
The Colonies of Benevolence in the Netherlands and Belgium became World Heritage Sites in 2021.
www.kolonienvanweldadigheid.eu