News item | 11-05-2023 | 4:59 pm
Small and medium-sized municipalities face major challenges, often in rural areas. For example, aging and dejuvenation are causing population decline, and a shortage of housing is hindering growth. At the same time, the qualities of these municipalities also offer opportunities. In these areas there is often more space for housing and businesses to establish themselves, which can stimulate the economy and employment. Town Deals have been developed to address these issues. These are partnerships in which experts from ministries, provinces, knowledge institutions and consultancy firms work on new solutions on location at municipalities. Today, the municipalities of Voerendaal, Beesel, Noard-East Fryslân, Hogeland and Bronckhorst signed the first Town Deal ‘Sterke Streken’ together with Minister Bruins Slot (Interior and Kingdom Relations).
Minister Bruins Slot: ‘We can only tackle the challenges of our time together. These municipalities all have their own unique character, of which the inhabitants are rightly proud. At the same time, each region also has to deal with social challenges, such as aging and dejuvenation. Municipalities and the national government are joining forces to make this work. By combining knowledge and capacity, we arrive at new perspectives, original insights and creative solutions. That way it remains attractive to live, work and do business in these municipalities.’
The first Town Deal ‘Sterke Streken’ focuses on the quality of living and working. This Town Deal has a term of one year. The parties involved then evaluate the collaboration and results. Based on this, they decide whether to continue, expand or adjust the Town Deal in this form.
New form of collaboration
Town Deals are a new form of collaboration in which medium-sized and small municipalities, the national government, knowledge institutions and private parties share knowledge and experience. Together they are committed to tackling issues related to living, working, living and recreation. This should provide innovative ideas for moving up the housing market and increasing the housing supply, preserving local facilities, improving sustainability and increasing the economic quality of a municipality or region. The knowledge and lessons learned are shared, so that other municipalities can also benefit from this.
Town Deals have been developed with the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), Platform 31 and the umbrella organizations of medium-sized (M50), smaller (K80) and rural municipalities (P10). They are an addition to City Deals, which focus on metropolitan issues in urban areas.