Why join now?
The window is open, but it closes sooner than you think
Automate
Use tooling to collect time sheets and training plans—saves weeks of work.
Integrate
Link learning objectives directly to HR processes so that the grant does not become an isolated island.
Innovate
Embed micro-learning and on-the-job coaching, two formats reviewers love to see.
Grow
Secure a learning culture: staff stay longer, knowledge stays in-house.
The essence at a glance.
It is like renovating an old house: only once you start do you see how complex the plumbing really is.
Still I often hear, "Are you sure it is worth the effort?" What strikes me is that companies mainly dread the paperwork. Understandable. Yet the scheme funds not only the training itself; it also pays for advice on learning and development (L&D) and for measuring impact.
What the scheme actually covers
Auditing the company to map learning needs
Drafting a training and development plan
Implementing interim upskilling or e-learning
Evaluation and embedding in daily practice
Be aware: everything must be demonstrable—no proof, no euros.
Grant percentage: 80% for SMEs, 60% for foundations in the agriculture, hospitality and leisure sectors
Maximum amount: €25,000 per application, open twice a year
Allocation: first come, first served, plus a lottery if oversubscribed
How to approach the SLIM grant smartly?.
A step-by-step approach based on dozens of successful applications.
Step one – Do not start writing, start talking.
Talk to departments, not only HR. Operations often knows where the real pain is. Gather examples: "New technicians drop out because onboarding is too fragmented." That kind of detail is gold in your application.
Step two – Sketch a learning vision.
Avoid jargon. Formulate an appealing goal: "Within 18 months every service engineer can resolve a complex fault independently." Such a concrete ambition stands out to reviewers.
Step three – Build the dossier step by step.
• Planning: allow for four milestones (start, halfway, end, embedding) • Evidence: screenshots of e-learning, attendance lists, evaluations • Budget: break down per activity and record time in hours as well as euros
Step four – Link it to strategy.
Show that learning is not a standalone project but an accelerator for your growth plan. Therefore link KPIs (fault resolution time) to L&D activities (diagnostic training).
Step five – Submit digitally, yet stay human.
The portal feels clinical; add a brief cover note that conveys your passion for development. It can make that small but decisive difference—I have heard jury members say so.
Ready to dive in together?
At Spartner we have a soft spot for companies that put their people first. If this article makes you think "I really want to get started", then please reach out. We are happy to spar informally and see whether we can add value, with no fuss and no sales tricks.
A critical look at grants
Cash injection or administrative burden?
The SLIM scheme is sometimes dismissed as a "micro-grant"—too small to spend energy on. In practice the story is different.
The flip side
Strict framework: activities outside learning and development are excluded immediately
Accountability: every receipt and every training session must be archived
Timing: align your planning with the application rounds or lose half a year
Yet the benefits are tangible
Cost savings up to 80% on crucial training projects
Acceleration towards a culture of continuous learning
Additional legitimacy towards shareholders or the board
As mentioned earlier: the paperwork is demanding but temporary. The new learning structure delivers returns for years.
Practical hacks for a flawless application
Small tricks, big impact
In reality an application often fails on details. Here are a few tips we internally call "grant-slash-hacks".
Steer towards completeness
Create a checklist in Trello or Asana with columns "draft – review – evidence – done". Tick off only when the evidence is ready as a digital attachment.
Use storytelling in your plan
Sketch a persona: Els, 34, lead technician, wants to advance but lacks complex case studies. Such a narrative angle makes your pain point come alive.
Have finances double-checked
An extra pair of eyes avoids mistakes in VAT explanations or hourly rates. One misplaced decimal can cause rejection—such a waste.
That said, do not overdo it. The reviewer is not a robot, but certainly critical.
Looking ahead: SLIM scheme 2025 and beyond
Stricter on impact, broader in themes
Government already hints at greater emphasis on digital skills and green transitions. Expect projects on data analytics, AI training and circular processes to earn extra points.
Possible changes
Increase in maximum grant to €30,000
Mandatory KPI reporting after 12 months
Bonus points for collaboration with trade associations
Rumour even has it that a fast-track will appear for small applications under €5,000—handy for pilot projects.
"A deal is a deal"
Yield.inc is a new asset manager in the Netherlands that focuses on excellent customer experience, sustainability and technology. When faced with the question of whether to develop our platform in-house or with a partner, we got in touch with Spartner. We are still 100% behind the choice for Spartner because we own the source code and with Spartner, a deal really is a deal, whether it concerns the delivery date or the agreed budget!
Hans Lugtenberg Partner at Yield Inc.
"A professional software partner since 2010"
Spartner is involved and contributes in our search for innovations and always delivers top-notch work. After the first Huurda.nl version got out-dated, we collaboratively launched a completely new version in 2020.
Custom-built search engine for rental propertiesNorbert Wegter Owner of 123wonen and Expat Homes Holland
"Pragmatic and flexible collaboration"
Spartner has created a customized portal for us for the accountability of large-scale collaborative projects. This enables us and our partners to execute and account for their plans in a shared environment that is secure, transparent, and manageable. The pragmatic and flexible collaboration with Spartner has ensured that we have quickly achieved a functional and user-friendly environment.
Jurjen Terpstra Managing Partner at Wecreate Consulting
"AI and machine learning as legal tools"
In 2020, we transferred the development of Lynn to Spartner. As a result of their fast development process, the Lynn platform achieves an increasingly central role in the legal world.
Lynn, the smart AI legal robotMarco Caspers Software Development Manager at Lynn Legal
"As a business you must dare to move forward"
Innovation and change are not always welcomed with equal enthusiasm by our employees, man is a creature of habit but as a company you have to dare to move forward and the need for a contemporary drawing program for the realization of various constructions with our Masterbloc bricks was high. For us but also for Spartner, this challenge was a bit of pioneering and together we had to overcome some hurdles to arrive at a beautiful and efficient business tool. A development and learning process for both parties, in which the feedback of questions and desired adjustments by our employees to Spartner was always in good consultation and we could count on quick feedback and targeted solutions. We continue to exchange experiences with Spartner and look back and forward to a successful collaboration.
Powerful 3D construction drawing softwareBjorn Gubbels Owner of Masterbloc
"Spartner extends our capabilities and development capacity"
With weekly calls, using our Azure DevOps sprint system, Spartner actively works together with our innovation, communication and software development departments.
Multi-website CMS with Statamic 3Marco Leenders Head of Automation
"Flexible collaboration with yearly updates"
The projectteam of the city of Groningen is very enthusiastic about the "Roomfinder" platform.
Real estate management software for student roomsGemeente Groningen Projectteam
"Have been using Laravel Excel for years"
We requested custom help to a performance challenge we had in our implementation of Laravel Excel. I was amazed how quickly these Laravel artisans achieved significant performance gains, which saved us a lot of development time.
Open source package for LaravelJosh Mountain Co-Founder at IncentivePilot.com
"Higher occupancy rate thanks to our user-friendly platform"
Throughout the great years that we cooperate with Spartner (previously Maatwebsite, Ed.), our software has been developed continuously. Students and landlords actively work with features like allocation, payments, chat, contract generation and more.
Custom built ERP for all student residencesMaurice Evers Head of Student Housing Department
"Innovating in the digital identification network of The Netherlands and Europe"
The pro-active approach of Spartner was crucial in understanding the complexity of the eHerkenning network.
Development of eHerkenning connection and servicesMaarten Bremer CTO / Founder Ensured
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"Innovation in legal technology"
As jurists with knowledge of IT, we highly value quality; within code, but also in process. The high work-level and trustworthiness of Spartner gives us the capacity to continuously create innovative features.
Legal tech platformNiels Winters Managing Director JuriBlox
What is the deadline for the next application round? 🙂
The spring round usually closes at the end of March and the autumn round at the end of September. Exact dates are published each year in the Government Gazette (Staatscourant), so check as soon as they go live.
Can sole traders also make use of the SLIM grant? 🤔
Only when they collaborate within an SME partnership. A solo self-employed professional falls outside the scheme, as the legislator truly targets structural organisational development.
How long does it take to receive the money? ⏰
Allow roughly three to five months after the final declaration. Your completion report must first be approved; payment follows afterwards. Patience is a virtue (and sometimes a frustration).
May I purchase training from foreign providers? 🌍
Yes, provided the content clearly matches your learning objectives and all invoices are neatly translated into Dutch. The reviewer must be able to read what you bought.
Is it possible to receive the grant several years in a row? 🔄
Certainly, but not for the same project. You must show that each application represents a new step in the learning curve. Repetition without innovation will be rejected.
What happens if my project costs less than budgeted? 💶
The grant will be reduced proportionally. Keep a firm grip on your budget and report major changes in good time to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Can I stop the project halfway through? 😟
You can, but you must provide a sound reason (for example force majeure). Any advance payments already made may be reclaimed in part. Think carefully before pulling the plug.
Which evidence is indispensable? 📂
Attendance lists, evaluation forms, invoices, proof of payment and a clear final report. Without these documents the grant is likely to be reclaimed in whole or in part.
Does digitising HR processes influence the assessment? 💻
Absolutely. A digital learning platform or LMS shows that you embed learning structurally—something reviewers love. It may give you that extra edge.
Does Spartner work on a no-cure-no-pay basis? 😉
We prefer partnership over models that create short-term incentives. Creating a realistic plan together—that is what we believe in.
