Exploratory Study on the Stadteland Initiatives Fund

The Stadteland Initiative Fund brings together entrepreneurs, educational institutions, sports organizations, cultural organizations, Health, community organizations, and residents to jointly invest in projects that benefit the entire municipality.

Why the Stadteland Initiatives Fund Geldrop-Mierlo?

Geldrop-Mierlo has many good ideas for making the municipality more attractive, livable, and resilient. Yet initiatives often fall by the wayside due to a lack of long-term funding. The Stadteland Initiative Fund brings together entrepreneurs, educational institutions, sports organizations, cultural organizations, Health, community organizations, and residents to jointly invest in projects that benefit the entire municipality.

Together, we can achieve more

Collaboration leads to projects that a single organization often cannot carry out on its own. Furthermore, a joint fund increases the chances of receiving regional, provincial, national, and European grants and other forms of co-financing. This makes it possible for larger plans to become a reality.

Think, for example, of events, greening initiatives, sustainability, safe and attractive shopping districts, sports and cultural activities, technology days for students, and initiatives that promote health and social connection.

Investing in the Future

Experiences from other municipalities show that a fund not only makes projects possible, but also fosters greater collaboration, engagement, and a strong local community. Organizations connect with one another more quickly, develop joint plans, and invest together in an economically strong, socially inclusive, and livable municipality.

How does the Stadteland Initiative Fund for Geldrop-Mierlo work?

The Stadteland Initiatives Fund is financed through a surcharge on the property tax (OZB) for non-residential properties. The contribution amounts to €65 per €100,000 of WOZ value. Owners and users of properties such as businesses, stores, offices, restaurants and bars, schools, healthcare facilities, sports facilities, and cultural institutions automatically contribute to this fund on a pro-rata basis.

The municipality collects the contribution through the property tax and transfers the entire proceeds to the Stadteland Initiatives Fund. The municipality also contributes for the real estate it owns. The proceeds are earmarked entirely for the fund and are not used for other municipal expenditures.

Independent management

The fund is managed by an independent foundation. This foundation:

  • manages the resources;
  • reviews applications;
  • awards grants;
  • renders financial accounts;
  • monitors the fund's objectives.

Each year, the foundation publishes a summary of its income, expenses, and results.

Hiking Areas in Stadteland, Geldrop-Mierlo Initiative Fund

To ensure that the proceeds benefit the areas where they are generated as much as possible, the Stadteland Initiatives Fund operates with six funding regions. Within each funding region, a significant portion of the available funds is set aside for local initiatives. In addition, there is still room for projects that benefit multiple funding regions or the entire municipality.

The six lottery regions are:

  • Industrial parks and farmers/agriculture
  • Geldrop City Center
  • Geldrop Neighborhoods: West
  • Geldrop Neighborhoods: East
  • Mierlo Center
  • Mierlo Neighborhoods

Examples of projects

The fund supports projects in which entrepreneurs, educational institutions, sports organizations, Health, cultural organizations, and community organizations collaborate to build a stronger Geldrop-Mierlo. Examples include:

  • Education & Business – guest lectures, career days, internship fairs, and hands-on assignments that introduce young people to the job market.
  • Education & Health – healthcare orientation, introductory internships, guest lectures by healthcare professionals, and joint health projects.
  • Sports & Education – after-school sports activities, introductory classes, sports days, and programs that encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
  • Sports, Health Well-being – projects focused on mental health, prevention, vitality, and healthy aging.
  • Culture & Society – cultural events, creative projects, festivals, and initiatives that bring residents together.
  • Sustainability & Living Environment – collaborative energy projects, greening initiatives, circular economy initiatives, and sustainable mobility.

Across the Netherlands, entrepreneurial funds are demonstrating that these kinds of partnerships foster greater connection, talent development, health, sustainability, and a stronger local community

Steering Committee members Arno and Yvar see opportunities in investing together

Arno Saasen and Yvar de Weerd
Steering committee members: entrepreneur Arno Saasen and Yvar de Weerd, chair of the Sports Council

Entrepreneur Arno Saasen and Sports Council Chair Yvar de Weerd are members of the steering committee exploring the possibilities for a Stadteland Initiatives Fund in Geldrop-Mierlo. As ambassadors for this exploratory process, they want to inspire entrepreneurs, associations, and community organizations to contribute their ideas.

According to Arno, there are plenty of opportunities to tackle shared challenges, such as labor shortages, grid congestion, and safety on industrial sites. "Sometimes the solution is closer than you think. By working together, we can strengthen each other."

Yvar also recognizes the power of collaboration. Sports clubs, cultural organizations, and business owners can support one another and work together to make Geldrop-Mierlo an even more attractive place. “By joining forces, we’ll make our municipality even more appealing as a place to live, work, do business, and play sports.”

During the inspiration session, the steering committee looks forward to discussing ideas and opportunities. After all, it is precisely by investing together that initiatives can emerge that would be difficult for a single organization to realize on its own. Arno and Yvar therefore hope that as many entrepreneurs and organizations as possible will contribute their ideas about the future of Geldrop-Mierlo.

Participation and Planning: Stadteland Initiative Fund

The Stadteland Initiatives Fund is being developed in collaboration with entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, institutions, and the municipality. Input has been gathered at various stages of the process and will continue to be supplemented.

The city council has been informed about the initiative since 2025. A steering committee was formed in early 2026 and has since met several times to work out the details of the fund’s structure.

The Blaauwberg consulting firm is guiding the process and holding discussions with the organizations and stakeholders involved. There have also been discussions and presentations with business associations, civic organizations, and internal municipal teams.

Two more inspiration sessions (September 1 and September 9) and further discussions with the parties involved will take place in the coming period.

  1. Currently in progress: Council Information Letter - Completion date

    The council will be kept informed in the meantime through a council information letter.

  2. Still to do: Decision by the Municipal Executive - Completion date

    On September 15, 2026, the Municipal Executive will make a decision.

  3. Still to do: Informative City Council Meeting - Completion date

    The exploratory council meeting will be held on October 13.

  4. Still to do: Advisory Council Committee - Completion date

    The advisory council committee will meet on November 30.

  5. Still to do: City Council Resolution - Completion date

    The city council will make its decision on December 14.

  6. Still to do: Start Fund - Completion date

    The Stadteland Initiative Fund is launching.

Related News

Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Stadteland Initiatives Fund Geldrop-Mierlo?

The Stadteland Initiatives Fund is a joint fund established by entrepreneurs and community organizations. It supports projects that contribute to a strong economy, an attractive living environment, and a vibrant community.

Why is the Stadteland Initiatives Fund being established?

The fund facilitates joint investments in projects that would otherwise have difficulty getting off the ground. These include initiatives in the areas of quality of life, sustainability, safety, culture, sports, and the economy.

Who is the fund intended for?

For organizations that contribute to the development of Geldrop-Mierlo, such as businesses, associations, foundations, and educational, Health, cultural, and sports organizations.

How is the fund financed?

The fund is financed through a surcharge on the property tax (OZB) for non-residential properties. The contribution amounts to €65 per €100,000 of WOZ value. The municipality collects this contribution and remits it to the fund. The proceeds are earmarked exclusively for the Stadteland Initiatives Fund.

Who manages the fund?

An independent foundation manages the fund, reviews applications, and reports annually on how the funds are spent.

What can the money be used for?

For projects of common interest, such as events, sustainability, safety, quality of life, sports, culture, promotion, and collaboration between organizations.

What can the money not be used for?

Not for projects that benefit only one organization, routine municipal tasks, operating deficits, or political activities.

Who can submit an application?

Businesses, associations, foundations, institutions, and partnerships may submit an application. Collaboration between organizations is encouraged.

When is a project eligible?

A project must serve a collective interest, contribute to the fund's objectives, and be financially and organizationally feasible.

What are trekking areas?

Lottery districts ensure that a significant portion of the proceeds remains available for initiatives in their own area, while also allowing for support of projects of municipality-wide interest.

How are the draw areas determined?

The steering committee is drafting a proposal for the division of the funding areas. In drafting this proposal, the committee is taking into account the various town centers, neighborhoods, business parks, and other relevant areas within Geldrop-Mierlo. The goal is to create a division that best aligns with local needs, initiatives, and the fund’s guiding principles.

What are the different fishing areas?

The Stadteland Initiatives Fund has six funding areas:

  • Industrial parks and farmers/agriculture
  • Geldrop City Center
  • Geldrop West Neighborhoods
  • Geldrop East Neighborhoods
  • Mierlo Center
  • Mierlo Neighborhoods

Within these areas, a significant portion of the available funds remains available for local initiatives. In addition, projects that benefit multiple areas or the entire municipality may also be supported.

Do organizations that contribute have any influence over the fund?

Yes. The fund is based on collaboration. Organizations that contribute help shape its development and investment priorities.

What are the benefits of the Stadteland Initiative Fund?

The fund encourages collaboration, enables additional investments, and increases the chances of receiving grants. In this way, it contributes to a stronger, more attractive, and future-proof Geldrop-Mierlo.