Twente climate operation receives a subsidy of 3.5 million euros

“This Twente cooperation called Twente Waternet is one of the first groups to receive this subsidy. This Climate Adaptation Incentive Scheme is part of the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaption. This plan was made by municipalities, water boards, provinces and the national government, to make the Netherlands climate-proof and flood-resistant before 2050. In other words; a plan to deal with flooding, drought and the effects of heat and water.”

The money from the subsidy will be used to make Twente more climate-proof. The 14 municipalities in Twente, the Vechtstromen water board and the province of Overijssel are working together to install more rainwater sewers, water storage facilities, streams and bioswales throughout Twente. Van Agteren: “We reduce the risk of flooding in Twente’s towns and villages by investing in these things. We will also be able to retain more water, thus combating the consequences of drought. These projects create additional opportunities for making the environment greener and attracting birds, butterflies, bees and other animals.”

A total of 200 million euros is available for the regions in the Netherlands. Twents waternet still has two outstanding applications to receive the maximum subsidy of 7.9 million euros for Twente. This does not mean that no projects have been realised in the meantime. All municipalities, the water board and the province have been working hard on numerous projects for years, to prepare Twente for the changing climate. Even more places in Twente can be made climate-adaptive with this subsidy, and at a faster pace to make Twente climate-proof and flood-resistant before 2050.

Residents can also make contributions, in addition to the projects carried out by the municipalities and the water board. Making Twente green enough to reduce the effects of extreme weather requires a joint effort. Want to make your own home and garden resistant to heat and water? Go to www.groenblauwtwente.nl for tips and ideas.