Diemerbos saved for two years as Diemen, Amsterdam and North Holland secure joint funding
Residents can continue enjoying Diemerbos as local authorities have secured a two-year funding deal to keep the forest clean, safe, and accessible. The agreement prevents a potential sale and buys time for a long-term solution.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Diemerbos, Diemen (Noord-Holland) |
| Parties Involved | Municipality of Diemen, Municipality of Amsterdam, Province of Noord-Holland |
| Funding Duration | 2026–2027 |
| Previous Management | Staatsbosbeheer (financial strain, potential sale considered) |
| Critical Tasks Covered | Path safety, basic facilities maintenance |
| Future Talks Scheduled | 2026 (for structural solution starting 2028) |
The Municipality of Diemen, alongside Amsterdam and the Province of Noord-Holland, oversees the management of local green spaces like Diemerbos. Their role includes securing funding and ensuring public access to nature areas, balancing ecological and recreational needs.
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Read the full translated article below
Breakthrough for Diemerbos
Deputy Mayor Van den Berg: ‘Management for 2026 and 2027 is arranged.’
Management of the Diemerbos has been arranged for 2026 and 2027. In July 2025, the Diemen municipal council unanimously adopted a motion urging the executive board to take action and find a solution. Deputy Mayor for Nature Van den Berg then took the initiative to hold new talks with the Municipality of Amsterdam and the Province of North Holland. This effort has now led to a joint financial agreement for two years of management. The three parties will jointly contribute to the urgently needed management, ensuring the forest remains clean, safe, and accessible over the next two years.
The breakthrough comes after years of uncertainty. Staatsbosbeheer previously warned that proper management without additional funding was no longer feasible and that talks on supplementary financing had stalled for a long time. Last year, the organization even warned that the financial management was becoming unsustainable. In a letter to the relevant authorities, selling the forest was mentioned as a serious option if no structural solution emerged. With this agreement, the sale of Diemerbos is off the table for the next two years.
According to Deputy Mayor Van den Berg, this is an important step forward. “Diemerbos is a place for many people to walk, exercise, and find peace. When it became clear that the financial management was under pressure and selling the forest was a serious option, we said: we won’t let that happen. I’m glad we’ve taken responsibility together with Amsterdam and the province. While this two-year arrangement provides some breathing room, we’re not there yet. This keeps the forest afloat, and now we need to move toward a structural solution.”
Thanks to the agreement, Staatsbosbeheer can continue its most critical tasks, such as keeping paths safe and maintaining basic facilities. This ensures the forest remains usable and accessible to residents and visitors. However, this only covers strictly necessary maintenance; no funds have been reserved yet for future major maintenance or renovations. Therefore, new talks will be needed in 2026 to reach a structural solution starting in 2028 for the management shortfall, including budget allocations for future major maintenance and replacements.