The State of Groningen and North Drenthe is intended for anyone who wants to know how the region is doing, two years after the cabinet responded with Nij Begun to the conclusions of the parliamentary inquiry committee. The researchers from CMO Stamm, KplusV, and Aletta Advies have created an accessible magazine, in which they describe how the region is doing. The researchers presented the State of Groningen and North Drenthe during a meeting in Delfzijl.
State Secretary for Recovery Groningen Van Marum: I think it is very nice that we now have the State of Groningen and North Drenthe for the first time. With this, we will monitor the progress of our long-term commitment in the region annually. In this way, we can adjust our policy if necessary.
The State of Groningen and North Drenthe currently mainly focuses on damage settlement and strengthening. But we are also working to repay the historical debt to the region. For sustainability, social recovery, and economic development, we will make €250 million available per year for 30 years from Nij Begun, in addition to regular national funds. These investments must make a difference. In future editions of the State, I also want to show how employment, equal opportunities for children and youth, and social livability in our neighborhoods and villages are developing.
Content of the research
In 2025, the emphasis will be on damage settlement and the strengthening operation. The State of Groningen includes:
- a report on the results of damage recovery;
- a report on the progress of strengthening;
- an overview of publications and research on developments in Groningen and North Drenthe published in 2024;
- a description of the status of the following pillars from the cabinet approach Nij Begun:
- sustainability through insulation;
- welfare and social recovery;
- economic development;
- a representation of the conversations the researchers had with organizations and residents, as an illustration of the quantitative trends.
Because the policy on sustainability, welfare, and economic development was still being developed in 2024, the effects of this on overall prosperity and the sustainability challenges in the region are not yet visible. We will add this to the State in the coming years to monitor the intended goals. Meanwhile, the social and economic agendas have been presented. Residents can apply for subsidies for insulation measures starting this summer. Therefore, from 2026, the State will also report extensively on these topics.
Follow-up
The cabinet is working on a proposal for the Groningen Act that will make the publication of the State of Groningen and North Drenthe a legal requirement. Over the next eight weeks, discussions will follow with residents, social organizations, and administrators. After that, the cabinets response to the State will follow.
Read more: state-of-groningen-north-drenthe-2025.pdf