The organizers of Helmond’s Elfth of the Elfth carnival event faced financial pressure after the municipality rejected their subsidy application for this year, shortly before the 11 November celebration. They said the decision was a serious setback and that they could not compete with events in Den Bosch or Venlo without support.

The decision drew criticism from CDA and 50Plus. CDA councillor Lars Sijbers called the rejection an example of barrier policy.