The Netherlands and Hauts-de-France are natural partners for smarter, more sustainable urban mobility. In 2025, our countries have committed to deepening economic ties, and Northern France, is investing in transformation: Lille is scaling sustainable mobility with EU support, while rapid industrial growth around Dunkirk will generate tens of thousands of jobs, raising urgent questions about infrastructure capacity, accessibility, and liveability.

Given the surge in transport demand in coming decades, fast‑growing areas like Dunkirk and Lille believe that existing infrastructure will not be sufficient without systemic upgrades. The Netherlands, as one of the most densely populated and industrialised countries in Europe, has dealt with many of these challenges in one form or another.

The Dutch mobility system today integrates innovative multimodal transport networks, emphasizing sustainability through electrification and zero-emission vehicles, supported by public transport, cycling, and urban logistics solutions. Deepening our partnership will accelerate smart and sustainable mobility, standardise data and infrastructure, strengthen European value chains, and create high-quality jobs. All while delivering cleaner air, safer streets, and better access for citizens and businesses.

Additional resouces

Morocco and the Netherlands are working together to strengthen sustainable water management. Both countries have developed valuable experience in using water efficiently, reusing water, and implementing smart irrigation and treatment solutions. Bringing together practical know-how and creative approaches, both countries are shaping smarter and more sustainable ways to manage water.

This mission brings Dutch and Moroccan partners together to exchange knowledge and create new opportunities for collaboration. From efficient irrigation and water reuse to desalination and sustainable water management in agriculture, the mission opens new avenues for cooperation and long-term partnerships.

By combining strengths and ambition, both countries aim to drive forward a water sector that is innovative, resilient, and sustainable. United in purpose, Morocco and the Netherlands are building a future that supports water security, economic growth, and environmental responsibility.

Partnering for a water-secure future!

Life in cities depends on what happens underground. Health soil cools our streets, absorbs excess water, supports plants and trees, stores carbon, and filters pollution. But when soil is damaged, cities become hotter, wetter and less liveable. As urbanisation accelerates and soil sealing continues to spread, safeguarding urban soils is no longer optional,  it is essential for climate resilience, biodiversity, and public health. That message takes centre stage this year on World Soil Day, a global moment to reflect on the role soil plays not only in agriculture, but also in ecosystem health, food security, and the future of our cities.

Dutch soil solutions around the world

The Netherlands has long understood that the quality of its soil underpins everything from flood protection to food production. Today, that experience is being translated into international action, from farmlands and deltas to fast-growing urban regions around the world.

From climate adaptation and water management to urban resilience and food security, Dutch soil solutions are being applied worldwide. Drawing on centuries of experience in living with water and working with complex soils, the Dutch approach combines cutting-edge research with practical, scalable solutions.

Through international partnerships, field projects, and knowledge exchange, Dutch experts are helping regions restore soil health, strengthen ecosystems, and build long-term resilience. One key driver of this global cooperation is the Dutch Agricultural Network, which connects researchers, policymakers, farmers, and urban planners across borders. 

As the Dutch Agricultural Network, we work with partners, researchers, farmers and city planners to improve soil health through shared learning and practical solutions.

In Poland, a public-private soil improvement project shares Dutch expertise, runs field trials, and offers a Polish language e-learning module on soil structure, organic matter, pH and sustainable fertilization. Poland is now a leading example of applying regenerative principles that improve soil health and yields.

Thousands of kilometres east in Thailand, the Netherlands supports nature-based agriculture, together with Dutch agribusinesses and experts from Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Through hands-on work with farmers, we promote regenerative practices, crop improvement, and soil care training that support long-term food security.

Meanwhile across Nordic countries, WUR and Aarhus University organised an event that used footage from Planet Soil to show citizens what happens beneath their feet and why soil matters. This helped spark public understanding and engagement with soil health.

In Serbia, we contributed to the Greening the City project in Belgrade, offering expertise to integrate green spaces into major development plans. The WUR Lighthouse farm LoginEKO shows how regenerative and organic agriculture can restore soil and biodiversity at scale. 

Across West Africa, we support programmes that restore soil fertility, such as Soil Values, and promote partnerships with organisations like Safisana. We also raise awareness among policymakers and the public through activities including screenings of Planet Soil.

From innovation to everyday impact 

High above the streets of Bangkok, rooftop farms are transforming food waste into rich compost that restores depleted soils and feeds fresh produce back into the city. What began as a small-scale solution has become a powerful circular model for urban areas around the world, showing how waste can become the foundation for renewal. 

Closer to home, the Green Denmark agreement brings together farmers, nature organisations, government, and citizens to improve water quality, biodiversity, and soil health. The collaborative approach shows how shared responsibility can tackle complex food system challenges.

In Ghana, farmers rely on simple, locally applied methods, proving that improving soil health does not always require expensive technology. In North America, Dutch partners support collaborative research, advanced soil measurement technologies, regenerative farming, and climate-smart grazing demonstrate, straightforward practices that rebuild soil quickly while strengthening farm resilience. 

Healthy soils for healthy cities

Healthy cities begin with healthy soil. It cools our streets, supports green spaces, absorbs rainfall, filters pollution, and enables food production in and around urban areas. As climate risks intensify and cities continue to grow, soil is emerging as one of the most powerful, and yet overlooked, tools for urban resilience. 

From rooftop gardens to regenerative farms and green infrastructure projects, Dutch expertise shows that living soils are not just an environmental asset, they are the foundation of resilient, liveable cities worldwide.

On this World Soil Day, and beyond, the message is clear: protecting soil is not only about what we grow, it’s about how we live. 

The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are natural partners in aviation innovation. By working together, we can accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation and help shape a low-carbon future for the global aerospace sector.

This economic mission brings together Dutch and British companies, start-ups, scale-ups, and knowledge institutions across the aviation value chain. From sustainable aircraft manufacturing and maintenance to innovative propulsion systems (electric, hybrid, and hydrogen) and green fuels, the programme creates opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and scale solutions.

Curious to learn more and see who’s taking part? Click below to open the mission booklet and discover how this partnership is driving the next generation of sustainable aviation.

Elevating sustainable aviation together

Water shapes our world. From the food we grow to the cities we live in. Yet rising sea levels, droughts, flooding, pollution and water scarcity are putting increasing pressure on communities across the globe. How can we respond to these challenges in a way that is sustainable, inclusive and future-proof?

In the podcast series Waterproof, Partners for Water explores these urgent questions through conversations with water experts, researchers, policymakers and local changemakers from around the world. Hosted by journalist and water expert Tracy Metz, the series offers a thoughtful and engaging look at how innovative water solutions are being developed, and what we can learn from them.

Stories from the frontlines of water resilience

Each episode of Waterproof focuses on a different theme within the global water landscape. Listeners are taken on a journey from coastal regions and river deltas to urban environments and rural farmlands, where water challenges are deeply connected to climate change, biodiversity, food security and social equity.

Rather than offering abstract theory, the podcast highlights real-world experiences and practical solutions. Topics include nature-based approaches to water management, dealing with salinisation in agriculture, maintaining water infrastructure, the role of local communities, and the importance of indigenous knowledge alongside scientific expertise.

What makes Waterproof stand out is its emphasis on collaboration, showing how partnerships between governments, local organisations, businesses and communities are essential for creating lasting impact.

Why listen to Waterproof?

• Insightful conversations with international water professionals and innovators
• Global perspectives combined with local stories
• Clear explanations of complex water and climate issues
• Inspiration for anyone working in, or interested in, water, sustainability and climate adaptation

Whether you are a water professional, policymaker, student or simply curious about how water connects us all, Waterproof offers valuable insights and fresh perspectives on one of the most critical challenges of our time.

Discover and listen to all episodes of the Waterproof podcast series here:
https://partnersforwater.nl/news/waterproof-podcast/