The European Union has once again approved more grant applications from The Hague over the past year. This brings the total for 2025 to ten approved applications, totaling 4.1 million euros. This amount could rise further, as six grant applications are still being assessed in Brussels. In addition, The Hague has received another 22.7 million euros for the Kansen voor West programme for the period 2021–2027.
Klaas Verschuure, Alderman for Europe, is delighted: “The Hague is a European city through and through. With European funds, we are making the city more beautiful, cleaner, and more social for the residents of The Hague. Look at the paving on Grote Marktstraat, the new city park with which we are greening the Binckhorst, or the special training vouchers that increase your chances of finding a job: this is just a small selection of the projects that have been partly funded by the European Union. All residents of The Hague benefit from this, and that is why I will continue to work in Brussels to secure a good seat at the table.”
Important new projects made possible with support from the European Union concern, for example, innovative solutions to ensure a supply of drinking water during times of drought, or to reinforce the dunes against the encroaching sea. The municipality also received funding to enable new forms of car sharing, allowing residents of The Hague to start their own cooperatives for transportation.
The additional revenue for the municipality is the result of the increased focus on European cooperation. In 2025, the City Council supported The Hague’s European strategy ‘Doing More with Europe’. Thanks to this strategy, the city can act decisively in Brussels and seize opportunities for The Hague’s residents. For instance, since last year, The Hague has had a permanent EU representative in Brussels to safeguard The Hague’s interests.
Verschuure: “Europe is important for The Hague, and The Hague for the European Union. Important decisions are made in Brussels that affect our daily lives. For example, regarding fireworks safety and clean beaches. With a strong position at the table, we can share our knowledge and work towards the best solutions for the people of The Hague.”
Moreover, the European ecosystem in The Hague is strengthened by a large number of companies and organizations. Together, they received hundreds of millions in European subsidies in recent years. 27 European organizations are based in The Hague, which together are responsible for €1.1 billion in additional spending in the Hague economy and approximately 4,250 extra jobs, according to calculations by research firm Decisio.
Recently, people in The Hague have been able to discover more about how the European Union works and how decisions of the European Commission, Parliament, and Council are reached. On May 9, Europe Day, the Europa Experience opened on Grote Marktstraat. This interactive visitor center is open to interested visitors six days a week.
Photo: Councilor Klaas Verschuure opens the Europa Experience in The Hague. Credit: Phil Nijhuis
