This Strategic Innovation Investment Agenda (SIIA) shows what the East Netherlands has to offer. The SIIA was created in close cooperation between the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel, the development company Oost NL and the regional economic network, Th!nk East Netherlands and the Economic Boards.

We want to invest particularly in prevention and medical technology, and we are looking for partners to do so. In this document, we show where our focuses lie. Then, together with you, we will discuss which programmes contribute most to economic growth and a sustainable future.

Our society faces major challenges in the field of healthcare. The national mission from the Knowledge & Innovation Agenda (KIA) for the Life Science & Health top sector is clear: in 2040, all Dutch people will live at least five years longer in good health and the health differences between the lowest and highest socio-economic groups will be reduced by 30%. To achieve this, it is necessary to focus on prevention, to organise care close to home and to use technology that relieves the burden of care and keeps it affordable.

In East Netherlands, companies, knowledge institutes and care institutions have been working together for decades to provide better and more efficient healthcare. In times of coronavirus, they have shown enormous development and strength. Increasingly, care and medical technology are combining new knowledge and skills that were developed in previously separate fields.

These Strategic Innovation Investment Agendas East Netherlands are an initiative that is partly the result of the cooperation with the partners within Th!Nk East Netherlands and the regional Economic Boards.