The Municipality of The Hague is allocating €100,000 to stimulate Hague entrepreneurs developing innovations for the blue economy. Through the subsidy scheme for SME innovations, the municipality supports entrepreneurs in testing, improving, and demonstrating new maritime and offshore technologies. The scheme is intended for businesses in the Port of Scheveningen, at the North Sea Proeftuin (Testbed) facility.
The scheme seamlessly aligns with the ambitions outlined in the Scheveningen Port Vision, presented last July. The Hague is fully committed to a future-proof port with space for fishing, innovation, and sustainability. The new subsidy program strengthens the maritime cluster in the port, contributes to employment, and boosts solutions to societal challenges such as climate change, safety, and the energy transition.
Space for innovation at sea
Alderwoman Saskia Bruines (Economic Development): “With this scheme, we’re literally giving innovative entrepreneurs space at sea to test their ideas. This way, we’re building a smart, future-proof, and sustainable blue economy in the port of Scheveningen.”
The subsidy program is aimed at SMEs in The Hague engaged in innovative applications within the blue economy. These include projects in offshore energy, sustainable food production from the sea, or the protection of underwater infrastructure.
Strengthening the maritime ecosystem
Projects are eligible if they are in the test or demonstration phase and contribute to strengthening the maritime ecosystem in the region. The subsidy covers a maximum of 50% of the project costs, with a ceiling of €50,000 per project. A total of €100,000 is available for 2025.
Fieldlab Campus@Sea will support the municipality with the grant applications. Campus@Sea manages the North Sea Pilot Project, a unique 10×10 nautical mile test area off the coast of Scheveningen. Companies can test innovations there under realistic conditions.
More information about the scheme and the application process can be found here . Entrepreneurs can apply via this page (in Dutch)
Text and Image: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English: The Hague Online
Featured Photo: The North Sea Farmers at the Offshore Test Site, off the coast of Scheveningen.