From 2026 to 2029 inclusive, the money goes to projects from the plan ‘Vitaal Verbonden’ (‘Vitally Connected’), which the three municipalities and the province wrote together. The first projects start in January 2026, and residents, community organisations and entrepreneurs will be involved in them.
The first theme, ‘more well-being and less care’, covers projects that keep people healthy and active for longer, so that they need less care. The second, ‘village centres for everyone’, is meant to make the villages attractive and accessible, with places where residents can meet. The third theme, ‘sustainable economic development’, is about opportunities for entrepreneurs and more jobs, with attention to sustainability as well.
“North Drenthe is a pleasant place to live, but we are increasingly noticing the effects of the ageing population. Facilities are disappearing and it is becoming harder to maintain a strong economy. This investment helps us to turn the tide,” says Jos Darwinkel, Noordenveld’s alderman for the economy and coordinating administrator of the regional deal.