Stimulus 30 jaar celebration event

27-06-2024

The celebration event was opened by Han Polman, Chairman of the ERDF Supervisory Committee and Commissioner of the King in Zeeland.  “It is with pride that we look back on thirty years of innovation in the Southern Netherlands, where together we have pushed boundaries in the fields of sustainable energy, raw materials, food and many other transition themes. I think we could even give more space to innovative projects in the southern Netherlands. Sometimes they need a push to bring a technology or product to the market. Projects that deserve support in this step should get it. Scaling up Dutch projects is important to really move transitions forward. To make this possible, we must continue to pursue avenues to Brussels.”

 Increasing Europe chagrin

Diederik Samsom, in his keynote speech, “Down with Europe chagrin,” underscored the need for an active constructive European policy to strengthen the national interest. “Our national interest benefits from a constructive European policy. In practice, however, Dutch politics and civil service have their backs to Europe. As a result, the Netherlands still gets too little done in Europe. The result? Increasing European chagrin. How to break through this? By working together, not only within our national borders, but also outside them, together we can be stronger and achieve more,” says Diederik Samsom.

 The informal part of the program was all about meeting, celebrating, watching and tasting. While enjoying the food of the future, attendees were able to view the anniversary exhibition 'European subsidies: Springboard for Innovation and Cooperation in the Southern Netherlands' featuring pioneering projects from the past three decades. From self-driving bus to vegetable fish substitute, from innovative iron fuel technology to development of technologies that bring the Einstein Telescope closer.