Positively impact society
At PostNL, we take pride in actively contributing to the well-being of the neighbourhoods and communities we serve, enhancing our presence through community engagement and positive involvement. We foster strong relationships by supporting local initiatives, including via the PostNL Special Moments Fund, which helps people celebrate meaningful events, supports children's charities, and strengthens community bonds. By aligning our business with neighbourhood needs, we aim to support and enrich the communities where we operate, fostering goodwill and long-term connections. And we also take pride in our sponsorship activities, for example of professional cycling team Team Picnic PostNL.
Proud partner of cycling team - Team Picnic PostNL
In 2024, PostNL proudly continued its sponsorship of the cycling team Team Picnic PostNL, celebrating the team’s remarkable victory in the opening stage of the 2024 Tour de France, to secure the yellow jersey. Reflecting our commitment to equality and progress, we are equally proud to support the announcement that from 2025, both the men’s and women’s Team Picnic PostNL WorldTour programmes will operate under the same minimum wage.
This partnership exemplifies our values and identity, as cycling is at the heart of PostNL’s operations. Every day, our mail deliverers rely on bicycles to ensure timely deliveries across the Netherlands, even in the most challenging weather conditions. As a company deeply rooted in both the Netherlands and Belgium—countries where cycling is much more than a sport but a way of life—this collaboration represents a natural synergy. Team Picnic PostNL embodies the spirit of community, determination, and sustainable mobility, all of which resonate with our purpose. Together, we go beyond delivering parcels and mail: we celebrate the victories, large and small, that connect people, inspire communities, and move us forward.
The partnership also underscores our commitment to promoting sustainable practices, as cycling aligns seamlessly with our broader sustainability goals. Whether on the podium of the Tour de France or in the streets of towns and cities across the Netherlands and Belgium, we share a passion for helping society.
PostNL Special Moments Fund
The PostNL Special Moments Fund collaborates with charities and social organisations to foster stronger connections within society. Through the active involvement of our employees, we focus on enhancing the well-being of local communities and their residents.
Our initiatives are designed to provide meaningful support to those who need it most, reflecting our commitment to building a more inclusive and connected society. For example, in a survey of 2,300 postal and parcel deliverers, 95% of deliverers said they feel a strong connection to the neighbourhoods where they work, while 80% said that the Special Moments Fund projects enhance their sense of pride in their role as deliverers. These initiatives are centered on three main areas, which we highlight below along with key projects we were involved in during the year.
Paying attention to the community
Every day, our parcel and mail deliverers visit every street across the country. Through their regular presence, they build a connection with local communities, often exchanging a wave or a friendly word with residents at their doors. When a new baby is born in the neighbourhood or someone is celebrating a birthday, our deliverers may go the extra mile by leaving a card with a personal message in the letterbox, adding a thoughtful touch to their delivery. In 2024, over 250,000 cards were requested by our deliverers to place in the mailboxes of local residents, fostering personal connections and community spirit. Among these, the Christmas card stood out as a favourite, with 50,000 requests recorded.
Our research shows that more than 70% of mail and parcel deliverers say they have occasional concerns about someone to whom they deliver a letter or parcel. More than 90% of delivery staff indicated that they find it appropriate to keep an eye on things in the neighbourhood. If our deliverers notice something concerning, such as a resident who may not be doing well, they have the option to voluntarily and anonymously report this to local welfare organisations, providing an additional layer of care for the community. To achieve this, we work together with the trade association Sociaal Werk Nederland, and in 250 municipalities delivery staff can now report their concerns about a local resident to a local welfare organisation. In 2024, our people made more than 550 reports.
Driving a large van safely
Debby van Blijdeveen, parcel deliverer and trainer, has completed a specialised course with the Traffic Safety Group Netherlands (VVGN). This course equips her to train new colleagues transitioning to driving a 7-metre van—significantly larger than the cars many are accustomed to. “Switching from a 4-metre car to a larger van requires adjustment and practice,” Debby explains. Her VVGN training focused on the consequences of speeding and included practical skills like slalom driving, reversing, and mirror adjustment to eliminate blind spots.
The training programme for new deliverers spans three days. On day one, Debby drives while trainees observe. By day two, those who feel ready can take the wheel. “I start by checking their mirror adjustments,” Debby says. “‘Can you see everything?’ I then step outside to ensure they identify blind spots.” The training includes slalom driving and reversing in an empty area, allowing new deliverers to develop confidence and control. On the third day, the trainee takes full charge with Debby observing. “At the end of the day, I assess readiness for solo driving or recommend further practice.”
Ensuring a visible presence in neighbourhoods
Our delivery staff visit every street, every day. This daily presence enables us to deliver special mail and packages for charitable causes with care and dedication, while playing an active role in many community initiatives. These include:
Stichting Jarige Job
In 2024, we continued our partnership with Stichting Jarige Job, a foundation that ensures children from low-income families in the Netherlands receive a gift box to celebrate their birthdays. We play an active role by delivering these birthday packages directly to families' homes. We delivered tens of thousands of packages for Jarige Job during the year, ensuring that children across the country enjoyed a special birthday thanks to the foundation's support. In January, gifts were collected as part of the 'Mooi Gebaar' (Nice Gesture) campaign. Additionally, throughout the year, around 200 PostNL employees volunteered to pack gift boxes during team outings, an initiative designed to give back to society.
Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland
In 2024, we proudly celebrated the 100th anniversary of Kinderpostzegels under the inspiring motto, “Every child deserves a superpower.” The initiative began in 1924 with the issuance of stamps bearing a surcharge to support disadvantaged children, a response to the aftermath of the Spanish flu. We are honoured to continue our unique partnership with Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland. In 2024, the mission remains as vital as ever: creating opportunities for children in need.
National Foundation for the Elderly
The National Foundation for the Elderly works to prevent loneliness, reduce vulnerability, and promote self-reliance among the elderly. Each year, in collaboration with PostNL and Kidsweek, they organise the Great Christmas Card Campaign. Through this initiative, together with schoolchildren, in 2024, we delivered 220,000 Christmas cards to the elderly, helping them feel a little less alone during the holiday season, supported by an extra card campaign run in a Dutch magazine and with a national retailer.
King's Games
With the King’s Games, we demonstrate that being active is both healthy and fun. The day starts with a communal breakfast, followed by a series of sports and activities. PostNL delivers the sports and party packs for the King’s Games to all participating schools. In 2024, more than 1.3 million students from round 6,300 primary schools participated, supporting a nationwide initiative to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among young people.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s community living rooms offer a warm welcome to everyone for a cup of coffee and a chat. To help raise awareness for these spaces, since 2022 we have been placing APLs at their locations, and now have nine across the country. For every parcel placed in these lockers, we make a donation to the Salvation Army, and in 2024 the number of parcels collected at these locations led to a donation of 10,000 cups of coffee.
Deepening engagement with local residents
Many of our PostNL employees are dedicated volunteers alongside their regular work. Each year, they have the opportunity to request a donation for the association or foundation they support through their volunteer efforts, and in 2024 a total of 200 local associations and foundations were helped with a donation. These donations can go toward initiatives such as new sports uniforms or organising a celebratory lunch. By providing these contributions, we help make things possible that might not otherwise happen. In doing so, we offer a helping hand to those who need it most.