Cooperation Zuid-Limburg

By working together more intensively and broadly, the foundation Cooperation Zuid-Limburg (stichting Samenwerking Zuid-Limburg) aims to turn the region's disadvantages into opportunities for the future. We want to secure long-term prosperity and well-being for residents. And that is possible thanks to the fact that we are a border region with plenty of opportunities, thanks to the high work and innovation potential and thanks to the resilience in our region. Indeed, according to the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), Limburg is one of the top smartest and most innovative regions in the world. Furthermore, Limburg is a national forerunner in the transition to a new, sustainable, circular and inclusive economy that contributes to broad prosperity.

Zuid-Limburg heart of Europa

All these opportunities led to the signing of the 'South Limburg goes beyond borders' agenda (Zuid-Limburg gaat over grenzen heen) by 16 municipalities and the province of Limburg back in April 2024. This agenda with a strong central strategy offers a future perspective for the region. Stichting Samenwerking Zuid-Limburg therefore works from these thoughts and ambitions. The three pillars in Agenda Zuid-Limburg, which are also fed by Regio Deal Zuid-Limburg, are:

  • Working towards a cross-border, circular and innovative knowledge economy. 
  • Working to strengthen our unique landscape so that it can cope with extreme weather, among other things.
  • Working to turn disadvantage into advantage by investing in strong and healthy communities where residents and entrepreneurs see their future.

To read: Agenda Zuid-Limburg (24.04.2024) and press release stichting Samenwerking Zuid Limburg launched (14.07.2025). Both in Dutch.

The whole is more than the sum of its parts

Although the foundation is now established by municipalities, the cooperation is not limited to governments. Precisely by choosing a foundation form, Zuid-Limburg's business community, knowledge institutions and civil society can also join the board. Working in such a multi-helix context brings together the different perspectives of public and private partners, education and knowledge institutions and residents. This enables tasks to be tackled fundamentally and broadens support for change. It also ensures that not only projects are set in motion, but above all that agendas are connected. In this way, we can achieve more concrete results, solve social issues and improve the future prospects for residents. Therein and in learning from each other lies the ambition of the foundation Samenwerking Zuid-Limburg .

Putting Zuid-Limburg on the map

We recognise that each area within the region has its own characteristics and requires customisation. But we also know by now that when it drizzles in Eijsden-Margraten, it rains in Vaals. And we want to avoid that. We want to secure long-term prosperity and well-being for all our residents. And that is only possible if we cooperate between municipalities, with Stadsregio Parkstad Limburg, the Dutch government and across borders. After all, we cannot solve everything on our own. Moreover, challenges in Zuid-Limburg do not stop at municipal and national borders. Zuid-Limburg is not an island, but a region in the heart of Europe. We depend on each other. By combining our strengths and those of partners, we can make metres and thus impact.