The participation budget, central government funding available since 1 January 2009, is intended to stimulate societal participation of the population, among other things by making is easier for people find employment. To a certain extent, municipal government may decide how to spend this money, for example by deciding who to include in reintegration programmes and what these programmes comprise. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, the total participation budget amounted to 1.9 billion, 1.7 billion and 1 billion euros respectively. Most of the budget is spent on reintegration schemes: 73 percent in 2102.
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