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NOM is 50 years old!

Stories about the strength of the North, then, now and soon.

In 2024, the NOM celebrated its 50th anniversary, and we’re taking a moment to reflect on that. Not just by looking back, but above all by looking ahead. The content focuses on the strength of the North. In what areas do we excel as a region? How did this come about, and how can we further strengthen it? Together, we’re moving toward a more sustainable, healthier, and smarter economy in the Northern Netherlands—a region of which we can all be genuinely proud. Read along and be part of the future of the Northern Netherlands!

Fast forward to:
Food Production 2.0
Energy transition
Healthy living
Green chemistry
Smart manufacturing
Water Technology
East, West, North best
NOM Midsummer Festival
Flock of sheep in Drenthe

Stories of a green future

We are not on the eve of various transitions; we are in the middle of them. From green chemistry to water technology. But there is more. Knowledge and experiences bundled in longreads.
The strength of the North in 2040

Where will we be in 2040? Described from different scenarios. From the laissez-faire
market to digitized economies of scale.

Longread Strength of the North in 2040 Download the PDF
NOM 50 years event

Event 50th anniversary

Cherish and renew. That's what the meeting we organized yesterday as part of our 50th anniversary was all about. Aren't these contradictions? No, cherishing and renewing complement each other very well. They form a dynamic that makes balance and progress possible. And that in a collaboration between entrepreneurs, governments and knowledge institutions. We were pleased that Queen Máxima was also present, which gave the meeting an extra special significance.

You can get a total overview of the event by clicking on the block below.

Healthy living Healthy Aging

Healthy living

Healthy aging. Nowhere is that theme more on the map than in the Northern Netherlands. Education, government, business, all are working on it. The unique ecosystem makes that collaboration extremely powerful.
Smart manufacturing A robotic arm

Smart manufacturing

Huge change is afoot in the manufacturing industry. Making things has to be smarter, more climate- and people-friendly and more sustainable. This is already happening in the Northern Netherlands - in numerous places, in theory and in practice.
Food Production 2.0 A tractor in the field

Food Production 2.0

The way we produced and processed our food for decades has no future. The costs are too high: Mother Earth is depleting, the climate is going haywire and our health is suffering too much. This has to change. It can be done differently, and the Northern Netherlands is showing that.
An evolving society

The history of fifty years of NOM (1974 - 2024)

Scene 1 Download the PDF
Marion Tjin-Tham-Sjin

East, West, North best

In this series we go with entrepreneurs of different generations from the three northern provinces to the place that for them radiates the strength of the North. After all, why is it so good to do business in the North?

Stories of a green future

Green chemistry Green Chemistry 01

Green chemistry

The transition to sustainability is crucial for the chemical sector. With the establishment of Chemport Europe, the development of green chemistry in the north of the Netherlands was put into action some time ago. With success.
Energy transition Windmill

Energy transition

The Northern Netherlands is the energy region of the Netherlands. It was, it is, it will remain. Production of Groningen gas has long since given way to knowledge and expertise about hydrogen and renewable energy.
Water Technology Hydraloop wants standard water recycling in all homes

Water Technology

Water is taken for granted, right? That is rapidly changing in the world. Too dirty water, too little water, too much water, too salty water. Challenges enough. The Northern Netherlands is a leader in water technology.
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Innovations over the years

Discover the history of the North in our digital museum with a view to the future

Current NOM director Dina Boonstra

(Former) directors speak out

That NOM anno 2024 is no longer the NOM of 50 years ago is evident from the stories recorded through interviews with (former) directors. Read along what has changed.

NOM Midsummer Festival

NOM Midsummer Festival

A look back at NOM's Midsummer Festival, Monday, June 24. Featuring in the "first half" a useful and enjoyable birthday present for our guests: eight workshops around a specific, topical theme. You can find coverage of all the workshops here. Because NOM exists exactly 50 years this year, this edition was given the promising name 'Back to the Future'. Bringing back fond memories, but above all looking forward together! Logical, right?