Why Blurline needs subsidies
The Blurline Foundation exists through subsidies, support from educational institutions, and donations from people who want consent to become the norm. On this page you can read what we do, why it matters, and how your support directly contributes to a safer society.
Who are we?
The Blurline Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to sexual safety and awareness among young people in the Netherlands. We develop free educational tools and organize workshops at schools to make consent discussable.
We are deliberately not a commercial company and never will be. Profit is not our goal and never will be. Our tools are free, our workshops are accessible, and our technology is privacy-first. No investors, no shareholders, no hidden agenda. This is only possible with the support of subsidy providers, governments, and social partners.
Non-profit foundation
All resources go towards our social mission
Education-focused
Workshops and tools for schools and young people
Privacy-first
Technology that protects user privacy
The problem we're addressing
Sexually transgressive behavior among young people is a growing social problem. The numbers speak for themselves.
slachtoffers in NL
jongeren (16-18)
meisjes fysiek
NL wil actie
Research by CBS (2025) shows that 1.7 million Dutch people have experienced sexually transgressive behavior. Among young people aged 16 to 18, 1 in 4 is a victim. For young women aged 18 to 24, this rises to 43%.
At the same time, Rutgers research (2025) shows that young people struggle to make consent discussable. There is a major lack of practical tools and education. Existing programs insufficiently reach young people. This is the gap that Blurline fills.
Sources: CBS Prevalence Monitor 2025, Rutgers consent research 2025, Dutch Government public monitor 2025
Lessons from previous initiatives
Blurline is built on the lessons of previous initiatives. We studied why earlier consent apps did not succeed, so we can avoid the same mistakes.
Stored a database of sexual partners with names and phone numbers. Intoxication check was self-reported. Apple removed the app after 9 days.
Never build a database of who has been intimate with whom. Privacy is the foundation, not a feature.
Claimed legally binding proof via blockchain. The founder admitted they were not sure it would hold up legally. The app was never launched.
Never make legal claims you cannot back up. Position as a communication tool, not as legal evidence.
Required a QR code scan and thumbprint verification during the intimate moment. The CEO called it 'part of foreplay.'
Consent should happen beforehand, not in the moment itself. Never frame consent as something 'sexy.'
Made video recordings of both people expressing consent. This created the ultimate blackmail material and a massive privacy risk.
Never collect audio or video. Minimize stored data. Privacy-first is not an option, it's the foundation.
Blurline is built with these lessons as its foundation. No partner databases, no legal claims, no consent in the moment, and never more data than strictly necessary.
What the science says
Our approach is not based on assumptions, but on scientific research into what demonstrably works in behavior change around consent.
Peer-led intervention
Programs led by peers are significantly more effective than top-down campaigns. Young people listen to young people, not adults telling them what to do.
Skills-based training
Simply telling people consent is important changes little. Young people need to practice: how do you have the conversation, how do you say no, how do you respond when someone says no. Role-playing and scenario exercises work.
Making social norms visible
Most young people think their peers don't take consent seriously. In reality, most do. This gap, 'pluralistic ignorance', needs to be closed by showing what the real norm is.
Addressing emotional barriers
The main reason people don't discuss consent is not ignorance, but fear: fear of killing the mood, fear of rejection, shame. Effective interventions address these emotions explicitly.
Through institutions, not individuals
Apps offered through an institution have 30% higher retention than apps people download themselves. Schools and youth organizations are best positioned for consent education.
Sources
- Open Loyalty (2024): Health app retention rates institutional vs consumer
- NCBI/CDC: Prevention strategies for sexual violence among youth
- PubMed Central: Emotional barriers to consent communication
- Rutgers (2025): Young adults on consent after the Sexual Crimes Act
What we do
Blurline combines technology and education to make consent discussable, clear, and verifiable.
School workshops
Interactive sessions at secondary schools where students learn about boundaries, consent, and communication. Adapted to age and level.
Awareness campaigns
Information through our website, social media, and partnerships with local organizations to normalize the conversation about consent.
Free consent tools
A privacy-first app where two people can record mutual consent, verifiable and revocable, without storing personal data.
Research and collaboration
Collaboration with experts, universities, and organizations like Rutgers to develop evidence-based methods.
Community building
A network of volunteers, ambassadors, and professionals working together towards a culture of respect and awareness.
Where does the money go?
Full transparency about how we spend subsidies and donations. Every euro goes towards our social mission.
Development and maintenance of free, privacy-first consent technology
Organization of school workshops, facilitator training, educational materials
Collaboration with experts and evaluation of our impact
Basic costs to keep the foundation running (hosting, administration)
Awareness campaigns and increasing visibility
Full transparency
This project belongs to the community and exists for the community. That's why we are transparent about our income and expenses at all times.
We believe that everyone who supports us, whether a donor, municipality, or institution, has the right to see that we handle their money responsibly. Not a single euro disappears into pockets. Every contribution goes towards our goal: a safer society.
Public annual reports
Our income and expenses are published annually and are accessible to everyone.
Independent auditing
Our finances are audited by an independent accountant.
Donor accountability
Donors and subsidy providers receive detailed reports on how their contribution was used.
No profit distribution
As a foundation, Blurline does not distribute profits. All resources are reinvested in our social mission.
How can you contribute?
There are several ways governments, institutions, and organizations can support Blurline.
Municipalities and governments
Include Blurline in your prevention policy for sexually transgressive behavior. Fund workshops at schools in your region and help us increase our reach.
Schools and educational institutions
Schedule workshops for your students, integrate our tools into the curriculum, and contribute to a safer school environment.
Public health and care institutions
Collaborate on sexual health and prevention. Use our tools as a complement to existing education programs.
Companies and foundations
Support our mission as a sponsor or partner. Your contribution makes it possible to keep tools freely available for young people.
Our vision for impact
Normalizing consent and making it mainstream takes time. This is not a one-year project, this is a long-term mission. We build lasting partnerships with donors, schools, municipalities, and the government. Together we want to make the Netherlands safer, so that boys and girls interact safely and truly understand each other's boundaries.
“We want our children and their children to never end up in the statistics of transgressive behavior again. We work on that every day, for the long term.”