# Getting started with due diligence – with a helping hand

This article was written by Trisha Goossens, our Office & Operations Manager, and Eva Schouten, Senior Strategy Consultant.

## Get your supply chain in order

Businesses in the Netherlands are increasingly expected to understand the potential negative impacts of their value chains on people and the environment – and take action. This also applies to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Fortunately, government funding can help.

Duediligence is voor veel ondernemers geen onderwerp dat je er zomaar even bij doet. Het vraagt tijd, kennis en budget. Juist daarom heeft de overheid de Subsidie Verantwoord Ondernemen MKB (SVOM) opgezet: om bedrijven te helpen deOESO-richtlijnenvoor verantwoord ondernemen praktisch toe te passen. Die subsidie is nu verlengdtot 3 novemberen er is extra budget vrijgemaakt.

## What is due diligence?

Due diligence means identifying and assessing the potential negative impacts of your business activities and value chain on people and the environment. Some businesses want to understand and address these impacts on their own initiative. But increasingly, larger customers are also asking their suppliers for information about product origins, working conditions, environmental impacts and supply chain risks. 


 


So what does due diligence look like in practice? For your business, it could mean: 




- Identifying where the greatest risks of human rights violations or environmental harm lie within your supply chain.

- Establishing clear criteria and agreements for responsible procurement (MVOI) and collaboration with suppliers.

- Setting up processes to gather feedback and concerns from employees, suppliers and other stakeholders, monitor risks and take corrective action.

The starting point is what matters most to your business right now. Where in your supply chain do you need greater transparency? Which risks do you want to manage more effectively? And what’s still missing from your policies or processes?

## Take it step by step

This doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire business overnight. Start with a risk assessment to identify the product category or supply chain where due diligence is most urgently needed. Compare your findings with your current approach and identify what’s missing to prevent, reduce or, where necessary, remedy negative impacts.
In other words, it’s about taking concrete, manageable steps. Steps that are becoming increasingly relevant for businesses of all sizes. Ultimately, the goal is to move beyond broad sustainability ambitions towards a structured, evidence-based approach.

## Funding can make it happen

Through the SVOM scheme, your business can receive funding for a specific due diligence project. For the current funding round, €10,000 is available for projects with at least €20,000 in eligible costs. This means you’ll also be investing in the project yourself.
For businesses that want to get started but face limited capacity or budget, this financial support could make all the difference. Especially if you need external expertise along the way.

## You don't have to do it alone

You don’t need to have all the knowledge and expertise in-house to develop and implement your due diligence approach. The SVOM scheme allows you to bring in external specialists as part of your project.
So, if you’re lacking the time, expertise or budget to tackle due diligence effectively, The Terrace can help. Combined with the funding, we can support you in defining your challenges, analysing risks across your value chain, setting priorities and translating your findings into practical policies and concrete actions. 


 


We’re happy to help you explore your specific challenges and turn them into a clear, achievable due diligence project. So you can be confident that your supply chains are managed responsibly.

## Requirements and applications

You’ll find the full eligibility criteria, eligible activities and details on how to apply on the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) website.
When submitting your application, you’ll need to have already identified the external service provider you plan to work with. Of course, we can also help you prepare the application. Just bear in mind that the application itself must be submitted by your business.

Source: https://theterrace.nl/news/getting-started-with-due-diligence-with-a-helping-hand/