New adjustments made to the National Growth Fund after criticism

Earlier we have on FHI already reported on the National Growth Fund and what this fund exactly entails. However, in recent months there has been strong criticism from politics and society. That is why the Cabinet has decided after many debates to adjust the content and design of the Growth Fund.

The National Growth Fund aims to make 20 billion euros in investments over the next five years that should stimulate economic growth in the long term. However, the original plan did not include a clear control function for the House of Representatives and the Senate. This has now been adjusted: the Cabinet has chosen to legally anchor the budget fund. This process will take two years and in the meantime the fund will start in the initial way.

There was also criticism of the focus of the Growth Fund. This was too much on investments without measuring projects against the criteria of climate change and sustainability. That is why it has now been decided to add the requirement that the social costs and benefits of a project must be calculated. A positive sum has become one of the requirements.

In addition, young people will now also have a role in the selection process of projects for the Growth Fund. The Cabinet is setting up a 'Council for the Future', which will also include young people who will review and assess projects.

Want to know more about the adjustments to the National Growth Fund? Read the Letter to Parliament which ministers Eric Wiebes and Wopke Hoekstra have drawn up.