Program OPZuid ERDF 2021-2027.

South Netherlands' ambition with the ERDF program 2021-2027 (OPZuid) is to implement the RIS3 priorities and thus leverage and strengthen the regional strength on economy, entrepreneurship and innovation, with social and economic impact as a goal. This entails: contributing to innovative solutions to five major social transitions that play a role both in the South of the Netherlands and globally, and enabling market parties to seize (inter)national market opportunities. The five transitions - energy, climate, raw materials, agriculture & food and health - are in line with the Green Deal and European and national innovation policy. Technological knowledge is important to achieve breakthroughs, but not sufficient on its own. The challenge is to use the technological and non-technological strengths of the South, through cooperation within the region but also beyond its borders. In the ERDF program, the South of the Netherlands is shaping this effort through the policy objectives of 'A Smarter Europe' and 'A Greener Europe'.

Opening 1: Climate, agriculture and food, raw materials and health - Smarter Europe

This opening reads as follows: ''Promoting innovation with social and economic impact in the Southern Netherlands, thanks to the further development, demonstration and marketing of promising technological and non-technological innovations and strengthening of the Southern Netherlands innovation ecosystem'' and is intended for projects focused on the Climate Transition, Agriculture & Food Transition, Raw Materials Transition and Health Transition. Read the fact sheet for all the information about this opening in the spring and the autumn.

Opening 2: Energy - Greener Europe

This opening reads as follows: ''Promoting the demonstration, marketing and upscaling of promising innovative solutions that advance the energy transition, in cooperation with SMEs and civil society in the Southern Netherlands'' and is intended for projects focused on the Energy Transition. Read the fact sheet for all the information about this opening in the spring and the autumn.

From 15 September to 24 October 2025 (17:00), you can again submit grant applications within the OPZuid 2021-2027 program. In preparation, we are organizing three regional information meetings in September specifically focused on the OPZuid ERDF program. On September 17, another regional information meeting for the OPZuid program will take place in Limburg at the Limburg Gouvernement.