The names of the second round of the Zuid- and East Drenthe Deal region are known. The seven initiatives that have been selected must contribute to broad prosperity in the area. Before that they have received 13 million euros together.
The Zuid- en Oost-Drenthe region is a collaboration of five municipalities, two provinces and six ministries. The common goal of the parties is ‘broadening broad prosperity in the region’. The ambition is that the generation that is now growing up in South and East Drenthe will have the same opportunities as peers elsewhere in the Netherlands in 2050. At the moment the region is still below the national average.
That means that the chances must be raised and it is up to the selected initiatives to contribute to it. Educational institutions, the business community, governments and residents were able to submit plans for the Deal region last spring. The steering committee, with representatives of the municipalities, provinces and ministries, ultimately made a selection.
Deputy Willemien Meeuwissen (VVD) was in the selection committee and is happy with the outcome. “With these seven new initiatives I am proud to build on a region in which everyone feels at home. With the Region Deal South and East Drenthe we are committed to a region in which everyone can participate and look ahead to a good future.”
According to Meeuwissen, broad prosperity goes beyond economics alone. “It is also about health, opportunities, a nice living environment and strong communities.”
You can also see that consideration in the choice for the initiatives. In this way there is attention for education and education. For example, children can learn about technology, science and sustainability through the projects. It is also focused on the improvement of basic skills in the workplace (language, arithmetic and digital skills), so that starting employees can rode themselves better.
Furthermore, a training program is offered for people who want to make the switch to the technology sector and MBO schools are joining their hands to be able to continue to deliver a good and appropriate training offer.
The elderly in the region are also considered. For example, there is an initiative to make smart housing facilities in neighborhoods, so that the elderly can continue to won independently for longer. Furthermore, the renewal and growth of SMEs in the region is used and attention is paid to the history of South and East Drenthe through leisure activities.