Open Call Regenerative Regions

In 2050, the Netherlands aims to be climate neutral and have a circular economy embedded in a healthy and biodiverse living environment. To achieve that future, making our current systems more sustainable is not enough. It requires ways of living, working and coexisting that actively contribute to the well-being of communities and ecosystems. This necessitates developing a new spatial logic that respects planetary boundaries and enables regenerative systems. In such logic, well-being takes precedence over wealth, space and raw materials are carefully utilised, negative effects are prevented from being passed on to other places or future generations, and the distinctiveness of areas forms the starting point. What is needed now to shape a regenerative living environment and society, and what spatial choices can we make today to develop (bio)regions that do justice to well-being, sustainability and regional distinctiveness?

Find the background literature used in the preparation of this open call in this overview.

The Creative Industries Fund NL invites (spatial) designers to conduct research by design into spatial strategies for regenerative regions in collaboration with parties from other relevant sectors. With this open call, the Fund aims to contribute to creating regions that are not only ecologically sustainable, but also socially just and economically resilient, so that a climate-neutral and circular Netherlands in 2050 remains within reach.

Proposals can be submitted by (spatial) designers who form a relevant coalition with stakeholders and interested parties. Think of collaborations with, among others, (representatives of) involved communities, governments, local residents, cooperatives, farmers and circular entrepreneurs, social organisations, nature management, waterboards, area and project developers, heritage specialists and educational and knowledge institutions.

The application must clearly indicate which coalition partners are involved and what their contribution is. We encourage involving parties with different perspectives and interests, and parties that are locally embedded in the region the project is focused on.

With this open call, we strive for innovative, future-proof projects and solution directions that contribute to the regeneration of landscapes, natural resources and raw materials and the well-being of communities. Designers are invited to question existing growth models together with their coalition partners and explore alternative spatial logics. Central to this is working on regions that are socially just, ecologically sustainable and economically resilient. We seek proposals that promote community spirit and cooperation, where research results and working methods are shared openly and transparently.

canvas phase:

• Closing date: 24 October 2025, 16:00 CEST
• Grant application: with project canvas
• Number of grants: maximum 26 of € 3,000
• Selection announcement: by Friday 19 December 2025 at the latest

development phase:

Only for applicants selected in the canvas phase

• Closing date: 30 January 2026, 16:00 CEST
• Grant application: with complete project plan
• Number of grants: maximum 14 of € 34,000 (co-financing required)
• Project duration: April to October 2026

follow-up phase:

Only for applicants who have completed the development phase

• Closing date: 2 November 2026, 16:00 CEST
• Grant application: with complete project plan
• Number of grants: maximum 14 of € 44,000 (co-financing required)
• Project duration: January to October 2027

In order to prepare the application, it is important to acquire the right information based on the following documents:

open call regenerative regions

The assessment of applications takes place on the basis of the Open Call Regenerative Regions. This describes the reason and objective, design challenges, phasing, criteria and procedure.

open call grant scheme

The assessment of applications also takes place on the basis of the Open Call Grant Scheme (with the exception of article 9). This describes the general conditions, grounds for rejection, manner of publication, submission procedure, assessment, award and grant obligations.

spatial design action project canvas and explanatory notes

The Spatial Design Action project canvas is the core of your application. Check it out in advance so you know what is required of you. Also read the Explanatory Notes to the Spatial Design Action project canvas. The project canvas accepts a maximum number of characters per input field, including spaces. The number of words mentioned in the explanation is an indication, but depends on the actual word length.

Please note: You will receive information for preparing your complete project application at the time your canvas application is selected.

online consultation hour

We are organising an online consultation hour about the funding opportunities of this new open call on Tuesday 14 October from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST. Fund officers will provide information about the open call and answer questions.

Canvas applications are assessed by an independent advisory committee on the basis of the Open Call Regenerative Regions and the Open Call Grant Scheme.

assessment criteria:

• research question: the problem analysis and the resulting research question in relation to the theme of the open call;
• positioning: how the application is positioned with respect to existing knowledge and discussion within (and outside) the field of expertise, and how that positioning is translated into an approach;
• collaboration: the extent to which the intended collaborations make a relevant contribution to the approach to the issue;
• contribution to diversity and coherence of the selection: the project's contribution to a representative total selection, with regard to the diversity of regions, target groups and challenges.

The assessment criteria for the canvas applications are explained in the Open Call Regenerative Regions.

Applicants selected in the canvas phase will receive more information by email about the application procedure for the development phase and follow-up phase.

acceptance

When you have submitted your application, the Fund will check the application against the formal requirements from the Open Call Grant Scheme.

assessment

An independent advisory committee will assess your application on the basis of the Open Call Grant Scheme and the Open Call Regenerative Regions. The committee advises the Board of the Creative Industries Fund NL.

decision

The Board takes account of the committee's advice in its decision on whether or not to award the grant. You will be notified of this decision through a decision.

final selection

Selected applicants may submit a complete project application. The closing date for this is 30 January 2026, 16:00 CEST. These applications will also be assessed by the advisory committee.

accountability

If you receive a grant from the Creative Industries Fund, you will also take on obligations. Two weeks before the completion of your project, you will receive an email request to submit your accountability form through the application platform.

Open Call Regenerative Regions
Open Call Grant Scheme
Spatial Design Action project canvas
Explanatory Notes to the Spatial Design Action project canvas
Background literature Open Call Regenerative Regions