South Holland invests €427 million in rural revitalization with 182 new projects
Residents of South Holland’s rural areas can expect improved water, climate, and nature conditions as 182 new projects kick off. With €427 million allocated, the province aims to tackle nitrogen issues and boost agriculture, though full implementation will take time.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Total project funding | €427 million (€367M from province, €60M co-financing) |
| Number of projects | 182 new proposals across sub-areas |
| Funding source | €40M from Investment Agenda (2026), €20B from Coalition Agreement |
| Focus areas | Water, climate, nature, nitrogen, agriculture |
| Province role | Policy guidance, frameworks, and financial support |
| Next steps | Provincial Council to discuss follow-up before summer 2026 |
The Province of South Holland oversees regional development, including rural areas, by setting policies and allocating funds for environmental and agricultural projects. Its role is to facilitate collaboration between local partners while ensuring alignment with national goals like nitrogen reduction and climate adaptation.
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Area plans provide a solid foundation for a thriving rural area
Not perfect, but unique. The analysis of the area plans for the South Holland Rural Area Programme (ZH-PLG) shows that intensive collaboration has taken place to get to work on concrete actions. Are the area plans collectively sufficient to achieve all the goals for a thriving rural area? “It is an important step in the right direction. After the thorough warm-up, we now want to accelerate, because we are not there yet,” says Mariëtte van Leeuwen, coordinating deputy for ZH-PLG.
From talking to doing
Thanks to collaboration between area partners, the area plans for all sub-areas are now complete. These plans outline how the areas will work towards achieving goals for water, climate, nature, nitrogen and agriculture. The province has analysed the plans, including their goal attainment and effectiveness. The analysis – known as the Second Benchmark – shows that collaboration in all areas is constructive and that there has been a clear shift from talking to doing.
The province must also deliver
The area plans vary in terms of ambition and level of detail. In some areas, explorations have been launched or pilots are being carried out, while in others, concrete projects are already underway. This is logical, as each area is unique and has its own challenges. The analysis shows that the province must also deliver, for example by developing guiding policy and setting clear frameworks. There is also room for improvement in coherence and alignment with other challenges.
182 new project proposals
The area plans are unique to each sub-area. This is entirely in line with the province’s decision to continue with the area processes after the former cabinet discontinued them. Together, the plans include 182 new project proposals. This will help us take steps towards achieving our goals.
Funding available in the Spring Memorandum
The submitted project proposals total €427 million. Of this, €367 million is requested from the province, with €60 million expected to come from co-financing. For projects that can start this year, funding will be made available in the Spring Memorandum from the €40 million reserved in the Investment Agenda. This will ensure progress and maintain momentum in the area processes. The province expects funding for the area plans from the €20 billion allocated in the Coalition Agreement.
Further developing the plans
Many areas intend to continue developing their plans. “It is good to see that people are eager to get started,” say Van Leeuwen and her fellow area deputy Anne Koning, Aad Straathof and Arne Weverling. Before the summer, the Provincial Council will receive a proposal for the follow-up approach to the area processes. After the summer, the Provincial Executive and Provincial Council will discuss this further.