Netherlands
Programmes summaries :
"Operational Programme South 2007-2013"
2. "Operational Programme South 2007-2013"
Programme under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective, co-funded by ERDF
3. The European Commission approved on June 14 2007 a regional development programme, the Operational Programme "South Netherlands" for the period 2007-2013. This programme involves Community support for the South Netherlands region within the framework of the "Regional Competitiveness and Employment" objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 462.4 million and the Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to EUR 185.9 million (approximately 11.2 % of the total EU money invested in the Netherlands under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).
4. The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The programme covers the provinces of Noord Brabant, Limburg and Zeeland. The region has a GDP per capita of 121% of the EU average, below the average for the country (124.8%).
The programme builds on the regional strengths in terms of technology and the knowledge economy, looking to reinforce innovative processes, R&D investment and entrepreneurship, provide a favourable environment for businesses and workers and address the urban challenges in the region. In line with the National Strategic Reference Framework, it is strongly linked to the "Growth and Jobs" agenda and sustainability.
5. Priorities
The programme is structured according to the following priorities:
Priority 1: Knowledge Economy, entrepreneurship and innovation
This priority axis aims to strengthen the position of South Netherlands as a top technological region, putting its emphasis on R&D investment, innovation and entrepreneurship. Addressing the collaboration between research institutes and enterprises, setting up clusters and promoting innovative processes are amongst the foreseen actions.
Priority 2: Attractive regions
This priority aims at improving the investment climate in the region providing enterprises and workers with the right area in which to live and work; foreseen activities target the environment, culture, tourism, energy or access to ICT.
Priority 3: The urban dimension
Under this priority, the programme addresses urban issues in the GSB-cities (Breda, Tilburg, s'Hertogenbosch, Helmond, Eindhoven, Venlo, Sittard/Geleen, Heerlen and Maastricht). Action addresses inner city problems, the quality of the environment, access to ICT or better quality sites for businesses.
Priority 4: Technical assistance
There is also provision for technical assistance in order to implement the programme. Financial support is available covering administration, monitoring and control.
6. Managing Authority "Operational Programme South 2007-2013"
Provincie Noord-Brabant
Posttbus 90151
NL- 5200 MC 's-Hertogenbosch
Tel.: + 31- 073-6812812
Fax: +31- 073-6141115
E-mail: info@brabant.nl
Web: http://www.brabant.nl/