Seven Limburg projects qualify for EU subsidy

With the elimination of financial support for companies, Limburg SMEs, knowledge institutions, civil society organizations and the province of Limburg are joining forces to come out of the corona crisis stronger, greener and smarter.

Even almost immediately after the outbreak of the pandemic, the European Union made extra money available for a quick and resilient economic recovery of the regions. Of this, 49.5 million euros will go to the southern Netherlands. By investing these REACT-EU funds in solving social issues in the areas of climate, energy, agriculture, food, raw materials and health, the three southern provinces are making our society more resistant to future challenges. Seven Limburg projects that contribute in innovative ways to these social issues are eligible for subsidies.

Three spearheads

Some 16 million euros from the subsidy pot will go to Limburg. The province has three spearheads in the opening of the subsidy scheme that are important for the region. For example, a low-threshold SME innovation scheme has been set up to ensure that Limburg SMEs can benefit directly from European recovery funding. The scheme is intended for innovative investments within the broader SME sector, but especially for entrepreneurs within the sectors that have been hit hardest, such as tourist-recreational companies, the hospitality industry and retail.

The second spearhead is the creation of a new innovation scheme for SMEs.

The second spearhead for which Limburg uses the subsidy is the economic and social utilization of the knowledge accumulated in Limburg in the field of regenerative medicine. Limburg is home to one of the primary knowledge centers in that field. In order to achieve economic return from this, European funds will be invested in automation, large-scale production and further development of materials and equipment at various Brightlands locations.

The third spearhead also contributes to the recovery and strengthening of the Limburg economy: connecting innovative SMEs to the development of a new key technology in the field of gravity waves and spin-offs to other fields. In doing so, Limburg aims to become a technological leader and bring the construction of the internationally prestigious Einstein Telescope and related activity and employment to Limburg and the surrounding area.

'Good for all Limburgers'

President Maarten van Gaans: "Limburg is pleased with this European support. "With this we can further develop and accelerate important innovations that contribute to strengthening our economy and offer solutions to social challenges in the field of health and climate. This is not only good for our companies, but for all Limburgers."

Preventing food waste

One of the SMEs receiving funding is the Limburg-based high-tech start-up Next Generation Sensors BV (NG Sensors). With the European REACT-EU support, the company is developing a sensor that measures food quality and detects risky substances at the place where the food is produced. Incidents concerning food safety and food quality are not only a threat to public health, but also lead to considerable economic loss, waste and a large ecological footprint. Project SPOTDETECT of the start-up helps to prevent large-scale recalls, reduce food waste and improve the quality of our food.

Stimulating innovations

Within the project 'Limburg recovers and accelerates' LIOF supports SMEs in the development of innovations, with an emphasis on innovations linked to the themes of smart (digitization), sustainable (energy and circularity) and healthy. Entrepreneurs can gain knowledge about new technologies or market opportunities, for example through small- and large-scale events, multi-day master classes, collaboration projects and individual discussions with business developers.

Source: De Limburger