Strong Northern Netherlands is the Public Affairs team of the Northern Netherlands region, representing our political interests in Brussels and The Hague. We are part of the Northern Netherlands Alliance (SNN), a partnership of the three northern provinces (Drenthe, Fryslân, Groningen) and five cities and municipalities (Assen, Emmen, Groningen, Leeuwarden, Súdwest-Fryslân). Together with the education sector and the business community, we form a strong triple helix, working closely together to make the region's future proof so that our citizens can reap the fruits of social and economic development in times of transition.
The Northern Netherlands wants to be an inspiring example of smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in Europe.
We build on regional strength to shape European policy making
A strong Northern Netherlands contributes directly to a resilient Dutch and European economy. By bringing together regional strengths in knowledge, industry, energy and innovation, the region helps Europe anticipate economic, industrial and geopolitical change. Europe's resilience and strategic autonomy will increasingly be shaped in regions where innovation can be applied, scaled, and translated into real economic impact. We are such a region.
Our approach is built on a clear strategic course. We seek balance between economic growth, social equity, and ecological responsibility. Sustainable competitiveness requires all these ingredients. In addition to this vision, our execution is grounded in a strong triple helix model of regional government, knowledge institutions, and businesses that create the optimal conditions to link regional development to European ambition. In this manner we are working closely together on accelerating four key transitions, as set out in our Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS3) 2021–2027. The Northern Netherlands is transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, from fossil-based to renewable energy, from care to health, and from analogue to digital systems. Through RIS3, we leverage European funding and align regional governments, academic institutions and private enterprises in a shared effort to strengthen sustainable growth, innovation capacity and long-term regional resilience, fully in line with broader European priorities.
Europe's agenda
Europe steps up collectively for EU strategic autonomy
The Draghi report made clear that the EU faces a structural competitiveness challenge, and that closing the innovation and implementation gap requires decisive action across the whole of Europe, including its regions and cities.
Our local and regional authorities can contribute by combining combine economic dynamism with social cohesion and ecological responsibility. The Northern Netherlands is building exactly that kind of economy: one where societal challenges drive innovation, where businesses and knowledge institutions work together to find solutions, and where facilitating a strong investment climate will attract the talent and capital needed to deliver at scale.
As an ecosystem for regional innovation, through deep triple helix cooperation, the region demonstrates what regional delivery looks like in practice and ensures that delivery directly to Europe's strategic ambitions.
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