To better contribute to broad prosperity in Fryslân, knowledge and practice must strengthen each other. With this in mind, NOM and FOM recently organized a meeting around the Blue Delta Monitor 2024.
It is an early spring morning when employees of NOM and FOM slowly trickle into the stately Board Room of the Chancellery. In the monumental building in the heart of Leeuwarden, they will be updated on trends and developments in the Frisian economy under the leadership of Wouter Marchand and Marijn Molema.
Wouter is senior researcher at Planbureau Fryslân and deals with monitoring the regional economy, among other things. Marijn is Extraordinary Professor of Regional Vitality & Dynamics at the RUG and has been working as Strategy Advisor at NOM since July 2024.
This morning's focus is the Blue Delta Monitor 2024, a research report mapping economic and social developments in the province of Fryslân. Developed by Planbureau Fryslân, in cooperation with the Province of Fryslân and Innovation Pact Fryslân, it focuses on six sectors that are important for the earning capacity and broad prosperity of the province: AgroFood, Water Technology, High Tech Systems & Materials, Circular Materials, Maritime Technology and Tourism & Hospitality.
Two worlds
The monitor serves as a practical tool for policy makers, entrepreneurs and investors. It helps to make well-founded decisions about economic investments and policy. It provides insight into how the Frisian economy is developing compared to the rest of the Netherlands, which sectors offer opportunities for growth, and where challenges lie in the areas of employment and innovation. In addition, the Blue Delta Monitor establishes links between economic progress and broader prosperity in Fryslân, providing a more complete picture of how economic growth contributes to the livability of the province.
'We want to bring two worlds together,' Marijn explains the purpose of the meeting. 'On the one hand, the people from NOM and FOM who are in the field to realize our mission: to strengthen the earning capacity of the Northern Netherlands. On the other hand, the world of research, knowledge development and understanding how an economic ecosystem works. These are two different worlds that can strengthen each other, but then you have to bring them together.'
Frisian paradox
Wouter takes the attendees through the contents of the Blue Delta Monitor and highlights key findings. Although the Frisian economy has grown, growth lags behind the national average. 'This increases the difference in earning power between Fryslân and other regions,' he clarifies. He also points out the challenges for the labor market, such as personnel shortages in technology, healthcare and education, and the aging population leading to an increasing outflow of workers.
At the same time, Wouter emphasizes Fryslân's strong position when it comes to liveability and resident satisfaction. The lower economic performance is by no means reflected in a lower quality of life. Indeed: Frisians are more satisfied with their lives and their living environment than the average Dutchman. Less money, but no less happy. This is called the Frisian paradox. And yes, these qualities can be used to strengthen the economic position. By offering a pleasant living environment, you can retain the business activity you have and perhaps even attract new forms of employment to the province.
Opportunities
With some 2,600 jobs, high added value per employed person and many innovative companies, Water Technology is a successful spearhead. AgroFood, Maritime Technology, High Tech Systems & Materials and Circular Materials are also of great significance to the Frisian economy. Although Hospitality has a lower added value per job, it is indispensable for the level of facilities and broad prosperity in the province.
'There are plenty of opportunities for the Frisian economy,' continues Wouter. 'The transition to a circular economy is in full swing, with an increase of almost 24% in the number of establishments since 2013. In addition, it has become clear that the various sectors can reinforce each other.' At the same time, he identifies obstacles: the low population density is detrimental to cluster formation and the relatively large share of SMEs and self-employed workers means that large-scale innovations are less likely to take place. While it is precisely in large companies that important innovations often arise.
Brainstorm
But how can NOM and FOM employees involve knowledge products, such as the Blue Delta Monitor, more systematically in their work? What is useful information for a fund manager or a business developer, for example? To get a better sense of this, those present were divided into pairs for a short brainstorming session. A number of points emerged. These included the need for a better link with national transition goals. Some had the idea that it is difficult for circular companies to raise funding and wanted to know if that is really the case. Others again were curious if there might be blind spots. They wondered if, beyond the six driving sectors, there might be sectors that are very promising without us realizing it.
Certainly, there was plenty of interaction and discussion during the meeting. Wouter and Marijn were regularly provided with valuable input and practical examples. It also became clear that the translation of knowledge into practice does not happen automatically. 'In the world of researchers, we are very used to drawing up hypotheses and then testing them,' Marijn said afterwards. 'We should actually do that more with the people on the front lines. And then explore together where opportunities and possibilities lie.'
Use value and utility
What important insight did the meeting give Marijn? 'That the use value and usefulness of knowledge should be central,' he answers immediately. 'So if you want people to start using knowledge, you first have to align when it comes to its practical usefulness. NOM and FOM are obviously not knowledge institutes, but they do need knowledge. That's why we want to promote knowledge sharing between different northern institutions in a kind of knowledge network, specifically focused on knowledge for economic policy in the northern Netherlands.'
But Marijn will also work with Wouter and others on a system analysis. After that, we will enter into discussions with all relevant partners to see: how can we guarantee this systematically? Marijn: 'We need to exchange and build up more knowledge in the Northern Netherlands in order to make more impact with the interventions with which we want to stimulate the economy. As NOM and FOM, we have lots of plans, but we also have to make sure that we substantiate them well.'