On December 15, 2025, the Province of South Holland and the Economic Board South Holland (EBZ), together with more than 90 partners, launched the Acceleration Program Growth Agenda South Holland. Through this program, we collaborate to build a strong and future-proof economy for South Holland. The program focuses on sustainable economic growth, reduced CO₂ emissions, sufficient housing, and a future-proof labor market. We aim to organize the preconditions so that investments in our beautiful province can be unlocked again. The effort focuses on accelerating where possible and cooperating with the national government and Europe.

Why is acceleration necessary?

South Holland plays an important role in the Dutch economy and strategic autonomy. The region accounts for about one-fifth of the national production, export, and innovation. At the same time, more and more organizations notice it is becoming harder to take new steps. This is due to grid congestion, limited space for businesses, slow permit processes, and a shortage of talent. These bottlenecks delay investments needed for the energy transition, housing construction, and economic renewal. The Acceleration Program helps to jointly tackle these obstacles and thus prevent further delays.

What does the Acceleration Program do?

The program builds on the Growth Agenda South Holland (2021) and translates it into targeted, executable actions along three lines:

  1. Organizing preconditions

    The program accelerates organizing the provisions needed for investments. This includes expanding the electricity grid, space for new and circular businesses, and better availability of well-trained talent. We also focus on faster and clearer permit processes so that important projects can start sooner.

  2. Developing and advancing investments

    We bundle regional ideas and initiatives into strong investment proposals. These focus, among other things, on key technologies such as quantum and biotechnology, on the sustainability of the port industrial cluster, and on technologies that contribute to safety and resilience. By working together on these proposals, we increase the chances of financing and implementation.

  3. Strong collaboration

    The program makes collaboration between companies, knowledge institutions, and governments more targeted. EBZ task forces play an important role in solving bottlenecks and advancing projects. The province and EBZ coordinate the approach together with partners so that the region presents itself clearly and decisively.

South Holland as a key player for national goals

South Holland makes a major contribution to Dutch climate, housing, and growth goals. The region can reduce up to 25 megatons of CO₂ by 2030, of which about 10 megatons in industry. Also, more than a quarter of the national housing task is realized in South Holland, especially along the Oude Lijn. Thanks to strong knowledge institutions, innovative companies, and large economic clusters, more than 20 percent of the national strategic growth ambition can also be fulfilled in this region. This makes South Holland an important engine behind the major transitions in the Netherlands.

Meindert Stolk, Deputy of Economy and Innovation: Our goal is a strong, future-oriented South Holland where companies dare to invest, people get opportunities, and innovations land quickly. With the Acceleration Program, we organize preconditions, accelerate sustainable growth, and connect economic development with broad prosperity. Together with more than 90 partners and in close cooperation with the national government and Europe, we work on solutions for energy, space, and talent. This is the moment to turn ambitions into action; for South Holland and for the Netherlands.

Femke Brenninkmeijer, Chair of the Economic Board South Holland: “Companies have been indicating for some time: we want to move forward but get stuck on matters beyond our influence. With the Acceleration Program, we combine the strength of companies, knowledge institutions, and governments to tackle these bottlenecks. This is South Holland’s translation of the Draghi report and the recommendations of Peter Wennink. This lays the foundation to get our investment climate in order for a sustainable future.”

Join us

If your organization wants to contribute to implementation or collaborate on one of the action lines, please contact the Economic Board South Holland or the Province of South Holland. For more information and the Acceleration Program, visit the EBZ website (opens in a new window).