DEVENTER, WILLEMSTAD - From October 6 to 10, 2025, a delegation from Curaçao’s Ministry of Governance, Planning, and Service (Bestuur, Planning en Dienstverlening – BPD) paid a working visit to the Deventer City Hall in the Netherlands. The visit was part of Curaçao’s ongoing reform of its public service counters, which aims to merge the service desks of nine ministries under one roof. The goal is to create a single, accessible, citizen-oriented, and efficient central service point for all residents of Curaçao.
The delegation was officially welcomed by Mayor Ron König of Deventer.
Delegation Composition
The Curaçaoan delegation consisted of seven professionals from the BPD Ministry, including sector and department heads, case officers, and a communications advisor. Their visit focused on learning how the municipality of Deventer organizes and delivers its public services.
Cooperation with Dutch Municipalities
Dutch municipalities are playing a key role in supporting Curaçao’s modernization efforts due to their expertise and experience in public service reform. Curaçao has previously collaborated with the cities of Amersfoort and Almere, and Deventer is now the latest partner in this knowledge exchange initiative.
Interest in Deventer stemmed from its successful experience in consolidating various municipal departments into a single building and restructuring its service model. Deventer’s emphasis on inclusion and historical awareness also aligns closely with the goals of the partnership. The collaboration fits within the framework of the Samen Vrij Deventer platform, which was established following research into the city’s slavery past and promotes exchange with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
Program and Discussions
During the working visit, the delegation participated in discussions on key themes such as integrated public service delivery, the Customer Contact Center (KCC), quality management, policy and strategic development, the “Omgevingstafel” (interdepartmental consultation process), and case management. The visit also provided opportunities for professional exchange and learning between Curaçaoan and Dutch civil servants.
The initiative marks another step toward strengthening cooperation within the Kingdom and improving citizen-centered governance in Curaçao.
