Regional Investment Fund Awards €6.6 Million for MBO Innovation Projects (Netherlands, June 2026)
The Netherlands awarded €6.6 million through the Regional Investment Fund for MBO to support six projects linking vocational education with regional labour-market needs. The funded projects focus on areas such as logistics, automotive repair, the creative sector and technology.
The Netherlands awarded €6.6 million through the Regional Investment Fund for MBO to support six projects linking vocational education with regional labour-market needs. The funded projects focus on areas such as logistics, automotive repair, the creative sector and technology.
What Changed?
The 2026 first-round RIF awards confirmed new public investment for regional partnerships between MBO institutions and employers. The funding supports innovation, skills development and closer cooperation between vocational schools and the labour market.
Old System vs New System
Before this funding round, these regional MBO-employer partnerships had not yet received 2026 RIF support under the first application window.
Six selected projects receive RIF support to develop or scale vocational education initiatives connected to regional labour-market demand. The fund is maintained through the end of 2027, with future design to be reviewed before that period ends.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Students may gain access to more labour-market-oriented training routes, projects and workplace learning opportunities in the funded regions.
Parent / Family Impact
Families may see stronger employment relevance in selected MBO programmes, especially in sectors facing skills shortages.
School / Institution Impact
MBO institutions receiving support must coordinate projects with employers and implement the agreed innovation or talent-development activities.
Teacher / Staff Impact
Teachers in participating programmes may work more closely with companies and adapt learning activities to regional skills needs.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-03: first 2026 RIF awards announced
- 2027-12-31: RIF expected to run through the end of 2027.
What To Do
- MBO institutions and employers should review the selected projects
- partnership conditions and future RIF application opportunities.
What To Watch Next
The next important point is how the government evaluates the fund and designs any successor arrangement after 2027.
Global Context
The update reflects a common European policy direction: using vocational education funding to reduce skills mismatches and strengthen regional school-employer cooperation.
Source Record
Source type: Official announcement
Source name: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) Newsletter