We actively promote cooperation between the government, research institutes and business, also known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ model. The three Northern Provinces have formed clusters in five important areas of knowledge - water technology, energy, sensor technology, agribusiness (bio-based economy) and Healthy Ageing (life sciences). The government, research institutes and businesses are now actively cooperating in these clusters.

Each cluster consists of a group of businesses and knowledge institutions that operate within a certain area of expertise in a certain region. The knowledge clusters in the Northern Netherlands are among the most important knowledge clusters in Europe. They possess tremendous knowledge and innovation potential and make an important contribution to the solution of challenges now facing the Netherlands and Europe.

They are able to do this partly because short lines of communication and interconnections allow the clusters to strengthen each other. Therefore the distinct advantages of the Northern Netherlands include the fact that it adopts a holistic approach. For example, the Healthy Ageing cluster is not simply concerned with drugs, it also promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps to create innovative healthcare systems. Similarly, water technology is linked to energy and sensor technology.

Our goal is stimulating and facilitating cooperation between the clusters in order to ensure that, for example, top researchers collaborate with universities of applied sciences and the corporate sector to develop new products with market potential that will create jobs in the Northern Netherlands.