Launch of the Limburg Futureproof Programme

On December 3rd, LIOF, together with its shareholders the Province of Limburg and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, presented LIOF's new development program: LimburgToekomstbestendig. This new program builds a bridge between the economic potential of the province of Limburg and the social challenges we are facing on a provincial and national level. Smart, sustainable and healthy are the challenges the program focuses on.

Limburg innovates and makes an impact

Based on its core task of Business Development, LIOF has implemented a number of programs in recent years: LimburgAgrofood, LimburgLogistics and LimburgMakers. These programs were aimed at boosting innovation in the three top sectors of Limburg and the programs have supported many innovations at Limburg companies.

With some 300 innovation projects initiated, developed and realized, with a total project value of over 31 million, the previously implemented programs have been undoubtedly successful. More than 1,350 people were intensively connected through various communities and almost 30 collaborative projects were initiated. A result of magnitude and a good basis for a sequel.

Future-proof

With the new multi-year program LimburgToekomstbestendig all Limburg top sectors and innovation-driven missions are served. In total, almost 9 million is available for sustainable innovations that strengthen the economic potential and competitiveness of SMEs in Limburg and have an impact on social issues.

Deputy member Joost van den Akker (Economy, Education and Sports): "Limburg aims to be the most innovative, attractive and healthy province in the Netherlands. Our mission-driven economic policy therefore focuses on making companies, food production and industry more sustainable. The support program LimburgToekomstbestendig brings the missions to fruition to allow Limburg entrepreneurs to innovate in a purposeful way."

State Secretary Mona Keijzer (EZK): "Limburg is buzzing with innovative entrepreneurs, from chemistry to construction and from food to logistics. I want to support them in the development of new products and services. This will help the world, and will also provide us with jobs and income. LIOF plays a key role in this. They know the entrepreneurs in their region best and can therefore provide them with optimal support. This new program will bring Limburg and the Netherlands a lot."

Top sectors

Focus sectors in Limburg are SMEs active in industry (including chemicals and materials), logistics, agri-food, construction, water & waste, energy and crossovers. Through the new program they can receive advice and assistance with innovation initiatives and they can apply for a financial contribution towards the project costs. This can be up to €50,000. The support instruments are focused on the social tasks smart (digitization), sustainable (circularity and energy) and healthy (health).

Cooperation

LIOF does not do this alone. Stakeholders including regional and Euregional partners, knowledge and educational institutions and the Brightlands campuses play an essential role in the program. By combining knowledge and skills as well as networks, the impact is increased. The collaboration between sectors and across sectors and borders offers many advantages.

Bert de Wit, Manager Business Development at LIOF: "Without our partners, our network, it is impossible to realize a smart, sustainable and healthy economic structure in Limburg. We need each other to take that economic structure to the next level and to tackle the social challenges together. In the coming period we will therefore be working actively with our partners, including in the Euregion, on the program. Naturally, SMEs in Limburg play a crucial role in realizing this ambition. We call on them to contact us about the program and to work together with innovative initiatives within the three challenges: smart, sustainable and healthy.

On the LIOF website, all possibilities in support, financing and cooperation for innovative startups, scale-ups and SMEs in Limburg are explained.