Development programmes

1. Aim and purpose of the programme

The ambition of the region is to rank in the top five metropolitan regions in Europe in terms of Gross Regional Product (GRP) per capita; presently it ranks 12th. This requires most importantly better cooperation between the different entities and a common strategy and approach. The Operational Programme is expected to make an important contribution towards achieving this goal.

Key priorities of the Operational Programme include:

• Increasing innovation and entrepreneurship;
• Increasing the attractiveness of the region;
• Investing in the socio-economic attractiveness of the four big cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht).

The Programme covers the provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Utrecht and Flevoland, a region that represents about 25% of the country's surface area but nearly half of the population. About one-third of the funding available from the ERDF will be earmarked for the four big cities, which will each receive a global grant. The Programme will focus on a limited number of key areas, for example, it will not cover the main infrastructure or actions aimed at tackling congestion.

2. Expected impact of investments

The Operational Programme is expected to:

• create 6880 jobs;
• create100 cooperation initiatives between research and knowledge institutions and business;
• support 88 small and medium sized enterprises;
• support 268 start-ups (< 5 years);
• modernise 88 ha of industrial estate and 146 ha of industrial premises.

3. Priorities

The Operational Programme for the West of the Netherlands is structured along the following priorities:

Priority 1: Knowledge Economy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation [approximately 47.9% of total funding]

The priority aims to strengthen clusters for knowledge development, transfer and application, stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation in small enterprises, and stimulate technological innovations for sustainable production.

Priority 2: Attractive Regions [approximately 17.4% of total funding]

This priority is aimed at boosting economic activity whilst preserving the quality of the environment and nature. It should help to expand and improve the quality of "greenery" and "water" in and around cities. The priority is targeted predominantly at urban networks and core economic areas; some 15% will be used in other (more rural) areas.

Priority 3: The Urban Dimension [approximately 31.5% of total funding]

Under this priority, the Programme aims to make the main cities more attractive for businesses, in addition to improving the general quality of life and strengthening the local economy through more effective use of the labour potential.

Priority 4: Technical Assistance [approximately 3.2% of total funding]

Technical assistance will be provided for implementing the Programme. Financial support under this priority axis covers administration, monitoring and control of the Operational Programme.

4. Managing Authority