South Holland Secures Record 2.4 Billion Euros in EU Funding
The Hague, Thursday, 22 January 2026.
South Holland has achieved a remarkable 74% increase in EU funding compared to the previous period, securing €2.4 billion between 2021 and 2025. This funding supports 2,636 projects across 932 organizations, creating an estimated 36,000 jobs while achieving significant environmental impact with 365,447 tons of CO₂ reduction. The province leads all Dutch regions in EU funding acquisition, with major recipients including TU Delft, TNO, and Leiden University receiving hundreds of millions each for research and innovation initiatives.
Horizon Europe Drives Knowledge Economy Success
The funding achievement reflects South Holland’s strategic positioning within the European innovation landscape. Horizon Europe emerged as the largest single program managed by the European Commission, channeling the majority of funds toward knowledge and innovation initiatives [1]. This program’s prominence underscores the region’s strength in research clusters and its ability to compete successfully for competitive European grants. The substantial allocation to knowledge-based projects demonstrates how South Holland has positioned itself as a hub for innovation-driven economic development within the Netherlands.
Structural Changes in Funding Distribution
The funding landscape has undergone significant structural transformation between the current and previous programming periods. While the total funding increased dramatically by 71.429 percent, the number of unique organizations receiving funds decreased from 1,722 in the previous period to 932 currently [1]. This shift reflects a strategic move away from individual applications toward sector-wide funding mechanisms. The new approach utilizes sector funds that submit larger, consolidated applications on behalf of multiple employers, streamlining the application process while potentially increasing funding efficiency [1].
Regional Leadership in National Context
South Holland’s funding success places it firmly at the top of Dutch provinces in terms of EU subsidy acquisition. The province secured over €2.4 billion compared to Noord-Holland’s approximately €1.4 billion, while Flevoland received less than €50 million during the same period [3]. Major institutional recipients highlight the concentration of funding in research and knowledge institutions, with TU Delft receiving approximately €290 million, TNO obtaining around €150 million, and Leiden University securing €144 million [3]. The national government also featured prominently as a recipient with €270 million in funding [3].
Comprehensive Funding Portfolio and Environmental Impact
The €2.4 billion figure encompasses multiple funding streams beyond traditional project subsidies. Direct payments to South Holland farmers totaled €394.2 million, while European Investment Bank loans to regional organizations amounted to €1.9 billion [1]. The funded projects generated substantial environmental benefits, achieving a CO₂ reduction of 365,447 tons across various sustainability initiatives [2]. Additionally, the funding supported an estimated 36,032 full-time equivalent positions, demonstrating the economic multiplier effect of European investment in the region [2]. The comprehensive nature of this funding portfolio illustrates how EU mechanisms support diverse economic sectors while advancing environmental objectives.