Boekenbon
Budget
€10 — €0
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
1
0.25 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
The Dutch book token (Boekenbon) is a low-value voucher system founded in 1934 to promote reading and literacy in the Netherlands. Book token are mainly in use as a gift item to someone. Each year 1 million Boekenbon are sold in the Netherlands; it is a proven stimulus of book buying, reading and literacy. Boekenbon is a non-profit initiative – all proceeds are used to support the booktrade, for instance as main sponsor of the Boekenbon Literatuurprijs, one of the main Dutch literary prices.
EU Legislative Interests
Boekenbon monitors one financial initiative related to the scope of the voucher: the Payment Services Directive (under review) and one initiative that could impact the functioning of Dutch bookshops : the Late Payment regulation. Although not directly involved yet, Boekenbon also intends to follow more closely all the initiatives related to culture and promotion of reading. Boekenbon wants raise awareness on the need to support the book sector and to prevent excessive administrative burden on booksellers (i.e obligation to carry customer due diligence requirements). To that end, the association is in contact with policymakers to share its position via emails (position papers) and via meetings.
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Additional Information
Boekenbon recently started to carry out representation / advocacy activities. It does so through a business consultancy based in Brussels, as mentioned under item 14 as intermediary. The representation activities are therefore carried out on an ad hoc basis.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.