Frequently Asked Questions: Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo

What is the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo?

The Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo is a joint fund established by entrepreneurs, civic organizations, and institutions. The fund supports initiatives that contribute to a strong economy, an attractive living environment, and a vibrant community. By pooling resources, a sustainable budget is created for projects that serve the collective interest. The name “Stadteland” refers to the strength of both the urban and rural character of Geldrop-Mierlo. The fund brings parties together to jointly invest in the future of our municipality.

Why is the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo being established?

Many challenges require collaboration among different parties. For example:

• Livability
• Safety
• Sustainability
• Accessibility
• Talent Development
• Culture and Recreation
• Sports and Health
• Promotion of the Municipality

The Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo makes it possible to invest collectively in projects that would otherwise have difficulty getting off the ground.

Who is the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo intended for?

The fund is intended for all organizations that contribute to the quality and development of the municipality, including:

• Entrepreneurs and Retailers
• Businesses in industrial parks
• Associations and foundations
• Educational Institutions
• Health and wellness organizations
• Cultural Institutions
• Sports Organizations
• Property Owners
• Other civil society organizations

The fund is therefore explicitly not just a fund for entrepreneurs, but for the entire local community.

How is the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo financed?

The Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo is financed through a surcharge on the property tax (OZB) for non-residential properties.

The municipality collects this fee along with the property tax bill and then transfers the proceeds to the fund.

Who helps pay for it?

The fee is paid by owners and/or users of non-residential properties covered by the regulation.
These may include, among others:

• Companies
• Stores
• Offices
• Hospitality
• Schools
• Healthcare facilities
• Sports facilities
• Cultural Institutions
• Other organizations that use non-residential properties

Why is a property tax surcharge imposed?

A property tax surcharge provides a simple, transparent, and systematic method of financing.

Because all parties involved contribute, a joint fund is created that can be used to carry out projects that benefit the entire municipality.

Does the money go into the municipality's general fund?

No.

The proceeds from the property tax surcharge are earmarked for the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo and are not used for other municipal expenditures. The funds remain available for the purposes for which the fund was established. And because the municipality itself also owns real estate, it contributes to the fund as well.

How is the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo organized?

The Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo is managed by an independent foundation.

The foundation is responsible for:

• Management of Resources
• The Review of Applications
• The Awarding of Grants
• Financial Accountability
• Monitoring the fund's objectives

The foundation reports annually on its revenue, expenses, and results.

How is the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo being prepared?

To ensure the fund operates effectively, a steering committee has been established with representatives from various sectors and areas within Geldrop-Mierlo.

Since January 2026, this steering committee has been examining how best to structure the Geldrop-Mierlo Stadteland Development Fund. In doing so, it is exploring a fund structure that serves the interests of both entrepreneurs and community organizations and institutions.

The steering committee is collaborating on this with the consulting firm Blaauwberg, which has extensive experience in the development, structuring, and management of entrepreneurial and regional funds in the Netherlands.

What does the steering committee do?

The steering committee is working on proposals for the structure of the fund. Among other things, it is examining:

• The fund's objectives
• The Foundation's Organization
• A recommendation for the classification of draw areas
• Representation of various sectors and regions
• The involvement of entrepreneurs and civil society organizations

The steering committee's proposals form the basis for further development and decision-making regarding the fund.

What are trekking areas?

To ensure that funds benefit the areas where they are raised as much as possible, the municipality is divided into various lottery districts.

For example, a draw area may consist of:

• A village center
• A neighborhood
• An industrial park
• A combination of areas or sectors

Why are lottery zones used?

Allocation areas ensure a fair distribution of available resources.

As a result, a significant portion of the revenue remains available for initiatives within the local area. At the same time, there is still room for projects that benefit multiple areas or the entire municipality.

How are the draw zones divided?

The exact division of the draw areas is determined based on proposals from the steering committee and the final decision-making process within the fund.

The plan takes into account the various town centers, neighborhoods, business parks, and other areas within Geldrop-Mierlo, so that available resources are aligned as closely as possible with local needs and initiatives.

What can the money be used for?

The fund supports initiatives that contribute to the public interest.

Examples include:

• Events and activities
• Sustainability Projects
• Safety Initiatives
• Regional Marketing and Promotion
• Landscaping of commercial centers and business parks
• Education-Labor Market Projects
• Sports and Cultural Activities
• Quality of Life Projects
• Collaborative projects between organizations

What can the money not be used for?

The fund is not intended for:

• Activities that benefit only one organization
• Regular municipal duties
• Structural operating deficits
• Political Activities
• Activities without a demonstrable public interest

Who can submit an application?

Entrepreneurs, associations, foundations, institutions, and partnerships may submit an application for a grant from the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo Fund.

Collaboration among multiple organizations is encouraged in this regard.

What Requirements an application meet?

An initiative must:

• Serving the collective interest
• Contributing to the fund's objectives
• Have sufficient support
• Be financially and organizationally feasible
• Provide clear added value to the area or municipality

How are applications evaluated?

The independent foundation evaluates applications based on predetermined criteria.

Among other things, the following factors are taken into account:

• The social and/or economic impact
• The scope of the initiative
• Support within the region
• Feasibility
• The contribution to cooperation and connection

The foundation then decides whether to award a grant.

Can projects serve multiple draw areas?

Yes.

Projects that have a positive impact on multiple areas or on the entire municipality may also be eligible for support.

Do organizations that contribute also have an influence?

Yes.

The Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo is based on collaboration and engagement. Entrepreneurs, community organizations, and institutions are involved in the fund’s development and the setting of investment priorities.

The starting point is:

If you contribute, you have a say.

What are the benefits of the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo?

The fund provides:

• Greater collaboration among organizations
• Additional investments in the municipality
• More opportunities for local initiatives
• A stronger economy
• A more attractive living environment
• Stronger ties between entrepreneurs, institutions, and residents
• Structural funding for projects with social and economic impact, such as grants

How does the Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo help attract grants?

The Stadteland Development Fund Geldrop-Mierlo acts as a lever for additional funding. Many regional and national grant programs require that applicants be organized and collaborate within a specific area or sector. Thanks to the fund, entrepreneurs, civic organizations, and institutions are already organized and united in their support of projects. This significantly increases the likelihood of receiving grants. In addition, the fund can use its own resources as co-financing, enabling projects to meet grant requirements more quickly and bringing more funding to Geldrop-Mierlo for initiatives with social and economic impact.