ROTTERDAM, 9 July 2025 – Primary schools in Rotterdam are now part of the city-wide agreement aimed at improving safety in and around schools. The expansion follows the 2023 launch of the original pact between secondary schools, vocational institutions, and safety partners.

Primary schools added to school safety agreement

Rotterdam's school safety agreement (Rotterdams convenant schoolveiligheid) has been extended to include primary education. This move allows for earlier intervention on issues such as youth crime, growing tensions among pupils, and street violence, which are increasingly relevant at the primary level.

The agreement enables primary schools to rely on a network of safety professionals and youth workers. In case of incidents, collaboration between primary, specialised, secondary, and vocational schools will be made easier and more effective.

Early intervention and teacher support

The extension allows schools to begin resilience-building and prevention efforts at a younger age. Attention is also given to supporting teachers in recognising early signs of criminal involvement among pupils. Security coordinators (regisseurs schoolveiligheid) will assist schools in this effort, ensuring better continuity when pupils transition from primary to secondary education.

The expansion now covers over 90% of pupils in Rotterdam.

Data-sharing guidelines presented

During the official signing at city hall, Ron Kooren (Albeda) presented a new data-sharing guideline to Mayor Schouten. Developed in collaboration with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens), the document is intended to help partners share information lawfully under existing regulations.

Challenges unique to primary schools

Primary schools face specific challenges such as parental aggression and bullying among pupils. Strategic safety advisor at Stichting BOOR, Brian Koopmans, stated: “The school safety coordinators can assist us. They know which partners to involve through the agreement, allowing us to resolve incidents more quickly.”

Organisations involved

Existing participants in the agreement include a broad coalition of schools, the municipality, police, and youth organisations. Newly added primary education partners are SIPOR, RVKO, PCBO Rotterdam, and Stichting Opwijs.

ROTTERDAM, 4 July 2025 – To maintain safety and liveability in a rapidly growing and changing city, Rotterdam has published a new enforcement priorities agenda, clarifying where its enforcement officers will be most visibly active and why.

Rotterdam sets new enforcement priorities for 2025–2026

Rotterdam has unveiled its Enforcement Priorities Agenda 2025–2026 ("Prioriteitenagenda Handhaving 2025–2026") as a strategic response to the increasing demands placed on its enforcement officers. With an expanding population, more visitors and complex public space challenges such as nitrous oxide use and sexual harassment, the municipality argues that sharper choices must be made.

According to Alderman Pascal Lansink-Bastemeijer, responsible for enforcement, public space and mobility, the city's enforcement capacity—approximately 454 full-time positions—is no longer sufficient to address every issue equally. “Our officers do important work, but they cannot be everywhere at once. We must prioritise doing a few things well over doing everything superficially,” he said.

Prioritisation driven by capacity constraints

The document outlines that 80% of enforcement capacity will be reserved for planned tasks, including traffic offences, littering, homelessness and nuisance behaviour, while 20% will be retained for unforeseen incidents and emergency responses. The aim is to ensure effective deployment in areas where enforcement presence has the most impact.

Not all duties will receive equal attention. The city acknowledges that its enforcement officers have increasingly become a ‘jack-of-all-trades’—a situation deemed unsustainable.

Area-specific focus and data-driven decisions

The enforcement strategy is tailored to neighbourhood needs. In the city centre, focus areas include tackling issues related to homelessness, aggressive begging, and the misuse of taxis. In North Rotterdam, student-related disturbances and unsafe parking near transport hubs are being addressed. In South Rotterdam, emphasis is placed on managing warm-weather crowding in parks and beaches, and supporting designated ‘focus neighbourhoods’ such as Hillesluis and Carnisse.

Additionally, a cluster for city-wide enforcement, known as Stedelijke Inzet, will provide specialist support for recurring challenges such as unauthorised street trading and event safety.

A new way of working

To enable this approach, the city will adapt its internal systems, enhance data collection and invest in smarter scheduling. There will be clearer expectations on what enforcement officers can and cannot do, and fixed-term goals will be monitored for adjustment.

Ultimately, the city hopes this strategic framework will allow enforcement to remain visible, responsive and targeted, despite growing demand and limited resources.

ROTTERDAM, 7 July 2025 – A newly released advisory report has outlined the strategic choices Rotterdam must make to remain economically competitive by 2040. The "Denktank Rotterdamse Economie 2040", a think tank composed of nine local entrepreneurs, has presented its findings to the municipal council and the board of mayor and aldermen.

_{Image: Presentation by the Rotterdam Economy 2040 Think Tank. Photography: David Rozing}

Rotterdam advised to focus on innovation, industry and talent to safeguard economic future

The advisory report proposes a vision for Rotterdam as an international leader in the port economy, medical technology (MedTech), and smart manufacturing. These sectors are supported by emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and CleanTech. The think tank calls for measures to reduce regulatory pressure, enable entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation, and retain and attract skilled talent.

The think tank was established following a municipal council motion calling for a forward-looking economic strategy. In preparing its report, the group consulted dozens of entrepreneurs, experts, and educational institutions. Strategic advice was also provided by Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Concerns over competitiveness

The report highlights declining innovation, increasing insolvencies, and the growing inclination of companies to relocate abroad. According to the think tank, these trends threaten the city’s economic resilience. Nevertheless, Rotterdam's key assets—its world-class port, robust knowledge institutions, and culture of collaboration—are viewed as a foundation for future success.

Jolanda Jansen, chair of the think tank and CEO of Rotterdam Ahoy, emphasised the urgency of municipal action: “We ask for fewer regulations and more trust. This report was written out of concern for the future and love for the city. Now it is up to the council, educational institutions and businesses to carry this forward—from think tank to do-tank.”

Municipal response and next steps

Alderman Robert Simons (Port, Economy, Hospitality and Governance) welcomed the report, stating: “This advice rightly underscores the burden of regulations and taxation. We are actively working to reduce these pressures locally and advocating for better national conditions. The themes highlighted—innovation, AI and entrepreneurship—are indeed the defining challenges of the future.”

The advice will be reviewed by the municipal executive and discussed with the city council in the coming period.

About the think tank

The “Denktank Rotterdamse Economie 2040” comprises Ellen van Dam, Graciëlla van Vliet, Hicham Shatou, Jolanda Jansen, Laamia Elyounoussi, Ludo Baauw, Michel Driessen, Pieter van Klaveren and Sabine Biesheuvel. Their shared aim is to strengthen Rotterdam's economic position through targeted choices and coordinated public-private collaboration.

ROTTERDAM, 1 July 2025 – The municipality of Rotterdam has extended its partnership with health insurer VGZ for the continuation and expansion of the VGZ Rotterdampakket, a special health insurance policy aimed at residents with low incomes and high medical expenses. From 2026, the policy will include more preventive care measures and programmes focused on participation and wellbeing.

VGZ to remain Rotterdampakket administrator

VGZ will continue to administer the VGZ Rotterdampakket, a health insurance scheme designed to support financially vulnerable Rotterdam residents, particularly the elderly and those with chronic conditions. The package offers broad reimbursements and a reduced compulsory excess. Following a new procurement process, the municipality has renewed its contract with VGZ.

Additional services from 2026

From 1 January 2026, VGZ will expand its offerings within both the Rotterdampakket and the Compactpakket. These additions include increased reimbursements for occupational therapy, the inclusion of the Beweegplus exercise programme, and a stress management course. In 2027, a third package is expected to be introduced, aimed at aligning even more closely with the needs of financially vulnerable residents.

Alderman Ronald Buijt (Health, Elderly and Youth Care) welcomed the continuation of the cooperation. “VGZ has been a reliable partner for years, and the Rotterdampakket helps many residents avoid the stress and consequences of high healthcare costs,” he said.

Focus on accessible and predictable care

VGZ’s Chief Member Officer, Art Beuting, expressed confidence in the renewed partnership: “Many Rotterdam residents depend on accessible and affordable healthcare. In the new contract, we focus even more on preventing financial surprises. We want members to feel comfortable seeking dental care, knowing what to expect and which treatments are covered.”

VGZ and the municipality aim to keep access to healthcare as straightforward as possible, with the broader objective of reducing health disparities among the population.

Financial support with premium payments

The municipality will continue to contribute to the monthly premium of the Rotterdampakket. For recipients of social assistance, premiums can be deducted automatically to help avoid arrears. If arrears do occur, insured individuals will have up to six months before their policy is terminated – compared to the usual two months.

First introduced in 2012, the Rotterdampakket was expanded in 2019 with the Compactpakket. The collaboration between VGZ and the municipality will continue to focus on accessible care and promoting public health in Rotterdam.