CoR - Netherlands Econ

Central level

Central government is responsible for the investment priorities for the Cohesion Policy in the Netherlands, 2014-2020 defined in the Partnership Agreement. It was prepared with active participation of local, regional and social partners and agreed with the European Commission. The selected priorities are

Promotion of an innovation-friendly business environment;
Increasing labour market participation and fostering social inclusion;
Promoting a resource-efficient economy.

European Regional Development Fund (the ERDF 2014-2020 objectives are innovation and low carbon economy)

Developing regional policy programmes, setting policy guidelines and providing the legislative framework;
Formulating policy and administering participation in the EU programmes.

European Social Fund (ESF 2014-2015) focuses on active inclusion and healthy ageing)

The SZW agency is responsible for

Administering EU funds and subsidies;
Issuing calls for proposals, monitoring grants implementation, supervising performance and reporting;
Providing information and expertise on developments in the field.

Spatial planning

Regulating the legal framework for spatial planning;
Setting the framework for spatial planning of the whole country in various policy fields;
Coordinating with provinces and the municipalities (formal and informal).

Responsible ministries/bodies

SZW agency
Ministry of Health Welfare and Sport

Regional level

Provinces collaborate with each other under four are responsible for:

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Planning of Regional and Structural Policy;
Acting as a managing authority in implementing, monitoring and controlling subsidies;
Cooperating with other regions and facilitating networks
Promoting regional interests at a national and international level

European Social Fund (ESF)

Running regional employment services.

Spatial planning

Regional plans developed for areas larger than the municipalities;
Developing the underlying approach, for broader spatial planning issues (e.g. infrastructure projects).
Coordinating with municipalities and the national government (formal and informal).

Responsible ministries/bodies

Northern Netherlands (OP North, Northern Netherlands)

East Netherlands (UP East, Gelderland)

Southern Netherlands (OPZuid, Stimulus Programme)

Western Netherlands (Opportunities for West, City of Rotterdam)

Local level

Municipalities are responsible for:

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Implementing national regional policy programmes;

(Municipalities have comparatively large autonomy in the detailed planning and implementation of Regional and Structural Policy in cooperation with the provinces.)

European Social Fund (ESF)