The coalition calls Nijmegen “a real student city”. The municipality wants to work together with educational institutions on an attractive and healthy student city. The municipality also wants to focus on 2,500 additional student rooms and there is support for housing on campus for students and employees. This also applies to more facilities on and around campus in the areas of sports, culture, gatherings and a vibrant student life.
Strengthening knowledge and innovation capacity
The municipality aims to further strengthen the knowledge, innovation capacity, and economic sectors in which Nijmegen excels—from healthcare and education to high-tech and the energy transition—and connect them to societal challenges in the city.
The coalition views MBO, HBO, and WO as equal pillars supporting society and the economy. With an MBO agenda for the city, the municipality is placing extra emphasis on the internship pact, the neighborhood internship hub, agreements with employers regarding internships and traineeships within companies, and collaboration between MBO, HBO, and WO. An additional €4.25 million is being invested for this, followed by €1.25 million structurally.
Although this is not specified in the coalition agreement, the MBO agenda invites broader cooperation with the ROC, HAN, and the municipality. This applies not only to education but also to lifelong learning, contract education, talent development for the region, the labor market, and the connection of graduates to the region.
Second Semiconductor Region
After Brainport Eindhoven, Nijmegen is the second-largest region in the Netherlands regarding semiconductors. The municipality is allocating an additional €1.1 million for this purpose over four years, followed by a structural €0.7 million per year.
For economic priorities, the municipality aims to secure European funds in collaboration with other authorities and companies. This involves a discussion of an entrepreneurial government that dares to invest, organise, and actively drive opportunities.
The approach of the coalition agreement provides room for a shared lobby. The university can assist in developing a joint agenda incorporating the interests of the municipality, the region, and the university.
Digital sovereignty
On the theme of digital sovereignty, the agreement aligns closely with the goals of Radboud University. The municipality is working towards independence from large tech companies, opts for vendor independence, and explicitly mentions the existing collaboration with knowledge institutions in the field of digital ethics and sovereignty.
Innovative, green, and healthy
The municipality is investing in the attractiveness and profiling of Nijmegen and the Lifeport region as an innovative, green, and healthy region to live, work, and do business in.
President of the Executive Board Alexandra van Huffelen: ‘The Executive Board congratulates the aldermen on their appointment and we look forward to a good collaboration with the Municipality of Nijmegen. The coalition agreement offers excellent tools to move forward together for the benefit of the city, the university, and the region.’