Brussels, 22/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - The process for the signature of the partnership agreements with the member states has passed the halfway mark, with the agreement concluded on Friday 22 August between the Netherlands and the European Commission, laying down the use of the structural funds available to the country. An envelope of €1.4 billion will be available to the Netherlands up to the end of the decade.
The Dutch government plans to invest this money mainly in innovation, training and education. In the partnership agreement concluded with the Commission, which will make it possible to unblock this money, the Netherlands undertakes to earmark €333 million of the European Regional Development Fund for SME research and development. €424 million will be allocated for social inclusion, to reach the target of 100,000 fewer households out of work.
Investments will be made to discourage children from dropping out of school. €126 million of the European Social Fund will also be invested in employment mobility and active ageing. The Netherlands also plans to increase the share of renewable energies in its “energy mix” (to 15%, compared to 4.5% in 2012), a development which will save the country money. €121 million will be invested in this, via the relevant programmes of the European Regional Development Fund.
Lastly, the Netherlands will allocate €607 million to rural development and €102 million will go to the maritime and fisheries sector. (MD)