20 November 2025
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News

Minister Mona Keijzer (Housing and Spatial Planning) officially launched the start of 16 new Regional Deals yesterday during a festive event in Utrecht. She did this together with regional administrators and program directors. Mayor Marga Vermue from the municipality of Sluis represented Zeeland.

Minister Keijzer: “For a strong Netherlands, every region must provide a solid foundation. The key to this is cooperation – from municipalities to healthcare institutions, from entrepreneurs to neighborhood initiatives. Regional Deals are a proven step towards strong regions, with room for customization, community spirit, and broad prosperity. Together with the regions, we are building a society where people feel at home and are ready for the future.”

At the end of October 2024, Zeeland submitted a for the 6th tranche of the Regional Deal to the national government for 15 million euros and was awarded 13 million euros on January 31, 2025. The 13 million is distributed among projects throughout Zeeland, focusing on Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, which contribute to the program lines Zeeland Approach Vital Regions.

Three program lines Zeeland approach vital regions

The program consists of three interconnected program lines:

  1. The quality and safety of the living environment: for spatial and social initiatives thatstimulate meetings and health , with attention to the changing climate and a future-proof design of villages and neighborhoods. 
  2. The quality, accessibility, and continuity of essential (supra-local) basic facilities: maintaining and renewing essential basic facilities in healthcare and education, so that every resident has close access to quality and support.
  3. The health and development opportunities for residents: increasing opportunities for residents from young to old, focused on healthy growing up, vital aging, and improving the connection to the labor market.

The implementation of the program is carried by a broad partnership of municipalities, Province, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and businesses. A steering committee and a program team ensure management, coordination, and implementation on behalf of the Zeeland parties in this Regional Deal.

The program of the Regional Deal aligns with the National Program Vital Regions and the strategic vision Zeeland 2050. This overarching commitment is aimed at more Zeelanders in a vital, resilient, and Zeeland: a region where it is good to live, work, and live and everyone can contribute to our broad prosperity.

Mayor Marga Vermue: “We are very happy with the Regional Deal Zeeland Approach Vital Regions. With this deal, we invest in a vital region with good care, education, and opportunities for everyone. We do this together with various parties. With this festive kick-off, the start has been given to actually get started with the Regional Deal. In the coming years, we will work together on our joint ambitions for a vital Zeeland and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.”

The Regional Deal also ensures consultation with the national government about the specific situation in Zeeland and the customization or exceptions needed to strengthen broad prosperity. The success of this deal is due to the close involvement of many partners and the joint effort to further the unique challenges and opportunities of the region.