Den Haag's Prestigious Innovation Award: 32 Projects Compete
The Hague, Monday, 11 August 2025.
As of today, 32 projects are competing for Den Haag’s ‘Government Innovation of the Year 2025’. Winners will be revealed in September, highlighting advancements in public sector innovation.
Overview of the Prestigious Award
Den Haag, as of 11 August 2025, is the hub for public sector innovation with 32 projects vying for the ‘Government Innovation of the Year 2025’ award. The competition is organized by the Vereniging voor OverheidsManagement (VOM), aiming to recognize and promote significant advancements in effective governance and public service delivery. Winners will be announced in early September, and the final award ceremony is scheduled for 27 November 2025 at the Koninklijke Schouwburg in Den Haag [1].
Jury and Evaluation Process
Led by Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of Den Haag, the jury consists of prominent figures across various governmental and public sectors. These include Hillie Beentjes, Joost Beukers, and other experts from ministries and organizations like the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and CAK. They aim to identify innovations that demonstrate a clear external profile, organizational strength, and measurable societal impact [1].
Highlighted Innovations
Among the candidates is the ‘Rainlevelr’ project, an innovative approach in horticulture nominated for its outstanding social innovation. The project showcases collaboration between growers and local entities to manage stormwater effectively, emphasizing shared responsibility without financial incentives. This aligns with the award’s goals of knowledge exchange and recognition of impactful public sector innovations [2].
Implications for the Public Sector
The competition serves as a platform for innovations that promise to enhance public sector efficiency and citizen engagement in the Netherlands. By spotlighting effective projects like those in digital transformation and environmental management, the event hopes to inspire widespread adoption of successful strategies across various municipalities [1][2].