Effective planning of green spaces in cities
One such technology is being developed as part of the “Urban Green” project. Due to urbanisation and climate change, the Netherlands and Germany are facing drought, flooding, heat stress, reduced biodiversity and damage to the economy and the living environment. Public green spaces can significantly reduce these problems whilst promoting well-being and social cohesion. It is important that water management, biodiversity and climate adaptation are taken into account during the construction and maintenance of these spaces. To this end, a Dutch-German consortium comprising SMEs, knowledge institutions and local authorities will develop a solution for the design, real-time monitoring and planning of green projects, with realistic calculations of the expected effects. In doing so, the project will bridge the gap between the potential and the reality of public green spaces, making Dutch and German city centres greener and more liveable.
Innovation in education to tackle gender disparities in healthcare
Gender-related disparities exist in healthcare regardless of the country, meaning that women in particular face incorrect or delayed diagnoses and more side effects from medication. This problem starts at the very foundation of medical training, as there has been no systematic approach to gender-sensitive diagnostics to date. The “GENderMed-AI” project aims to make a difference here through a combination of technology and knowledge. By developing an AI-supported, multilingual learning environment with simulated consultation scenarios, medical students become more aware of these differences. Participants practise reflective clinical thinking and consciously addressing biases. This joint development creates a cross-border framework for gender-sensitive medical training, which enhances the quality of care and contributes to reducing gender-specific health inequalities in the border region. The project involves various university hospitals, other experts from the healthcare sector and a development company.
Developments in the security sector
Security and geopolitical developments in Europe are leading to a sharp rise in defence spending in both Germany and the Netherlands. Due to a lack of transparency, limited networks and national fragmentation, many regional SMEs struggle to gain access to this growing market. As a result, economic opportunities are being lost, whilst the border region actually possesses complementary strengths in the fields of electronics, sensors, software, materials and system integration. The “SAFE” project tackles this challenge head-on by systematically making the industrial capabilities of both countries visible and comparable, through company visits, case studies, screenings and a digital competence platform. A toolbox is also being developed to provide concrete support regarding technological requirements, regulations and collaboration opportunities. These activities are being implemented by German and Dutch development agencies with extensive networks in the border region.
More hydrogen opportunities for SMEs
The “H2Business” project also focuses on strengthening SMEs, particularly energy-intensive SMEs facing policy pressure to become more sustainable, grid congestion or rising energy costs. Electrification or connection to the national hydrogen backbone is not a feasible alternative for all companies. The aim of the project is to identify hydrogen opportunities for these companies by analysing concrete hydrogen options and validating them in practice. SMEs can participate in a smaller cross-border consortium for feasibility studies, technical validation and development projects. The project partners, including universities of applied sciences, regional development agencies and experts in hydrogen technologies, will support SMEs in, among other things, finding suitable partners across the border.
Exchange for a theatre corridor without borders
The “CORE” project does not focus on SMEs, but rather on cultural institutions. Four independent production houses from Arnhem, Groningen, Münster and Düsseldorf are joining forces to form a shared working partnership. As independent production houses, they work with theatre makers and collectives that operate as small cultural enterprises: mobile, with a (inter)national focus and accustomed to working in diverse contexts. To strengthen cross-border collaboration and production in a future-proof manner, there will be an intensive exchange of knowledge, combining working methods and audience strategies from both countries. German-Dutch tandems of artists will also take part in workshops and set up entire theatre productions, which will be performed for audiences in the border region.
Projects on water management and inclusive cycling mobility
The two projects “De Rijn Beweegt” and “FITS” had already commenced in May 2026.
In the “De Rijn Beweegt” project, German and Dutch authorities are collaborating on the monitoring of sediment and plastic in and on the bed of the Rhine in the border region.
Authorities on both sides of the border are carrying out intensive sediment management with a view to water safety, water quality, climate adaptation, nature, navigability and other uses. Existing methods will be evaluated, improved and harmonised. Work is also underway on innovative methods using new image, sound and AI-based techniques. At the end of the project, joint monitoring strategies for sediment and plastic will be drawn up, and the partners will sign an agreement confirming their commitment to implementing the joint strategies.
The “FITS” project focuses on inclusion in mobility services. New adapted vehicles, such as tricycles, rickshaws, wheelchair-accessible bicycles and tandem bicycles, would help older people and those with reduced mobility to continue cycling. However, these options are expensive, require a lot of storage space and are not available in current bike-sharing schemes. As a result, many people are excluded from mobility services, leading to social exclusion and reduced personal independence. The project aims to change this and will integrate adapted bicycles into new mobility services, which will then be tested at various locations in the border region. To this end, a partnership has been established between healthcare institutions, local authorities, (social) mobility providers, research institutions and manufacturers of adapted bicycles.
Through these projects, Interreg Deutschland-Nederland and the participating organisations are jointly investing more than 22 million euros in the region. The projects are co-funded by the European Union and national and regional authorities.
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