The Klokkenplas, in the centre of Enschede, is a square that is ideally suited for transformation into a peaceful, artistic area. There is a frame-making business on the square which at present does not have a full retail function. The building requires renovation work to turn it into a professional shop. The staff currently employed there, on subsidised wages, will be able to obtain a regular appointment after the work has been completed. Four people will be able to take up work experience places in the shop.

The aim of the project is to create subsidised jobs for employees and work experience places for school leavers and the unemployed. Stimulating cultural enterprise in the centre of Enschede is a further aim of this project.

The activities concern the renovation of the building to provide shop and warehouse areas. After the renovation work has been completed, employment opportunities will be created at the enterprise for subsidised employees and work experience places for the unemployed, underprivileged sector. In its present form, there are three subsidised apprentices. They are given training that allows them to carry out their work in a professional way. The project will provide a permanent job for these people. Four new apprenticeships will be created each year.

The strong impetus being given to the frame-making enterprise will result in a professional retail unit within a reasonable period of time, providing employment for vulnerable groups. The project will create job opportunities and work experience. Commercial activity will be stimulated and the renovation of the building will have a positive effect on the character of the surrounding area.

European subsidy: € 70.500
Total cost: € 177.900

This project has been partially funded with Objective 2 funds. Since 2000 nine cities have been eligible for the Objective 2 Urban Areas in the Netherlands programme, which forms part of the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRD) of the European Union. EFRD is one of the four Structural Funds of the European Commission. The programme helps cities to carry out projects that benefit disadvantaged areas.

In the Netherlands, total European Objective 2 subsidies concern 192 million euros. 4.25% of the Dutch population lives in the selected areas.

The European Commission prescribes that for every euro from the EFRD, a minimum of one euro must be contributed from the government. The cities must therefore add their own public or private funding to the European subsidy. The European programme is linked to the urban plans agreed within the context of the urban policy of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. For this, the cities can make use of funds that have been allocated to them in the context of the national urban policy.

Enschede Stedelijk Hart - local programme management
Phone: +31 53 4818532

01/02/2003

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Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

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