This is important because the organization faces major challenges and focus is necessary. Rijkswaterstaat is limiting excessive costs with the recovery plan HeRA. This will yield the organization savings of approximately 50 million euros in 2025.

HeRA: Recovery Result Agency

To restore financial balance, Rijkswaterstaat started the recovery plan Recovery Result Agency (HeRA) in March 2025. With this, Rijkswaterstaat is taking measures now and in the coming years for a financially sustainable organization.

The measures in 2025 consist of direct savings. This concerns items that do not directly affect the primary process.

Where do the high costs come from?

There are several reasons for the excessively high costs. To maintain infrastructure, permit issuance (VTH), and cybersecurity, Rijkswaterstaat had to hire extra personnel. There was not always coverage for this, and therefore the own capital was utilized.

In recent years, the organization could absorb these types of costs, but that is no longer possible as the own capital is depleting too quickly.

What measures are being taken?

Rijkswaterstaat will start in July 2025 with direct measures such as delaying the opening of vacancies by 2 months. Also, limiting hiring and postponing material expenditures and investments are direct measures.

Additionally, Rijkswaterstaat is asking for extra austerity and cost awareness from everyone within the organization.

More Agile and Financially Balanced

Through these savings, Rijkswaterstaat is systematically working towards a more agile, efficient, and also financially balanced organization.