European Funds

European subsidies originate from two types of European funds:

Structural funds: aimed at regional development. In this respect, the most relevant fund for the province of Zuid-Holland is ERDF, the European Regional Development Fund. Funds from the ERDF are deployed to finance projects within the Kansen voor West II-programme (Dutch) and the Interreg-programmes (Interreg 2 Seas - Interreg Flanders-The Netherlands - Interreg Europe).
Thematic funds: aimed at specific domains, such as innovation, energy and mobility.

How Zuid-Holland can be of help to you

The province of Zuid-Holland has determined the five priorities for the period up to 2020, from which a Europe Strategy has been destracted. in which. The province (partially) finances the realisation of these goals by using European funds. The province has three different roles with regard to European funding:

It facilitates businesses, organisations, knowledge institutes and local administrations to obtain European funding.
It manages specific European funds and advises on granting these funds to relevant projects.
It co-finances projects in Zuid-Holland.

Areas of project development Zuid-Holland stimulates

Based on its Europe Strategy the province of Zuid-Holland stimulates four areas of project development. These are:

Regional economy and innovation

Encouraging industrial research and experimental development (including field labs).
Participation in and financial encouragement of starting and expanding knowledge-driven companies.
Improving the innovation climate and the access or utilisation of research & development knowledge infrastructure by SMEs.

Sustainable agriculture and rural development

Promoting innovation in relation to land-based agriculture.
Promoting biodiversity in nature reserves and agricultural areas.
Realising Natura 2000 tasks and the Water Framework Directive.
Increasing the quality of life in and accessibility of rural areas.

Transition to a low-carbon economy

Promoting sustainability with geothermal energy or geothermal heating.
Promoting the use of biomass for energy.
Coast, water safety and water quality.
Implementation of Delta Programme’s sub-programme Coast.
Realising 'PZH (Provincie Zuid-Holland) until 2050 - Protected from water'.

European transport networks

Promoting high-quality multi-modal hinterland connections for the Zuidvleugel, the southern part of the Randstad Region.
Strengthening an international logistics core network linked to a national and regional core network.
Facilitating both freight and passenger transport by water.
Making transport and logistics more sustainable.

European investments in Zuid-Holland

From 2014 until early 2018, knowledge institutes, businesses and authorities in Zuid-Holland received 983 million euros in European subsidies for research, technical development and innovation. In addition, the job market is strengthened and made future proof. The two main sources are Horizon2020 (61,5%) and European Social Fund (ESF) (8,6%). Approximately, half of the received money was spent on university research programmes. The allocation of these resources confirms the region's strength, as projects are selected on the basis of excellence.

For more detailed information about the allocation of funds, you can download ‘Zuid-Holland and Europe: Investing in our Province’ (pdf, 1.1 MB).

Also visit 'What Europe does for me' and find out how Europe influences your environment.

Do you have any questions about the possibilities offered by European subsidy programmes? Do you have an idea for a project? Are you looking for project partners and/or co-financing? Please feel free contact us, either by phone or e-mail. Our contact details can be found on the Contact page.

EU-subsidies Zuid-Holland (pdf, 1.1 MB)

The province of Zuid-Holland is involved in the Interreg programmes North Sea Region, Northwest Europe and Europe, and advises (potential) project participants from the province on taking part in and obtaining funding from the Interreg 2 Seas and Interreg Flanders-The Netherlands programmes.

Interreg 2 Seas

Vlaams-Nederlandse Delta is a Flemish-Dutch partnership: the provinces of Antwerp, North Brabant, East Flanders, West Flanders, Zeeland and Zuid Holland. Their aim is to work with the cities, seaports, businesses and knowledge institutions to facilitate projects for economic-logistical development of the region.

Interreg V FL - NL

Interreg Europe runs from 2014 to 2020 and helps regional and local governments across Europe to develop and deliver better policy. By creating an environment and opportunities for sharing solutions, Interreg Europe aims to ensure that government investment, innovation and implementation efforts all lead to integrated and sustainable impact.

Interreg Europe