"We have gone from talking to real impact"
Ten years ago, The Economic Board Regio Arnhem Nijmegen set out with a clear ambition: to pool and strengthen the economic power of the Lifeport Regio Arnhem Nijmegen. Not from the perspective of a single sector or organisation, but through the joint efforts of government, businesses and knowledge institutions. With a long-term vision and a shared agenda. Ten years on, the Lifeport region is more firmly established than ever. Chair Alexandra van Huffelen and Director Jan van Dellen look back on what has been achieved and look ahead to what lies ahead.
"It really is a party," says Jan van Dellen. He has been managing director of The Economic Board for almost four years, but has known the Board for longer from his time as an alderman. "When I look back to about eight years ago, I really see a world of difference. Where we used to mainly talk, we now steer towards concrete results. Think of the Regio Deal, the Talent Plans in Semicon and Energy, the Lifeport Partner Fund to which some 40 partners are already connected. With these, we are really taking the region a step further." According to Van Dellen, the strength lies mainly in the joint drive.
"We do this together. From universities, colleges and mbo's to companies and governments. With one goal: to strengthen broad prosperity."
Alexandra van Huffelen and Jan van Dellen
Put on the map
Alexandra van Huffelen took office as chairman of The Economic Board at the end of September 2025. In her view, the region has firmly positioned itself in recent years. "For a long time, the Arnhem-Nijmegen region was not on the radar as an economic engine," she says. "Everyone knows its beautiful nature and fine living environment, but The Economic Board has helped to show that economic development also takes place here." She says that message is more urgent than ever. "If we want to maintain our prosperity in the Netherlands, we must continue to invest in productivity and innovation. Sectors such as energy, health and high-tech are crucial in this. And let these be precisely our top sectors."
Focus brings acceleration
A key turning point was the decision to narrow the focus. “We deliberately chose three clusters:Energy,Health and High Tech,”explains Van Dellen. “This enables us to make a much greater impact. For example, with solutions to grid congestion, innovations in healthcare and the development of the semiconductor sector.” This also matters to local residents. “Cleaner energy means cleaner air and, ultimately, a healthier life. Through the chip industry, we are creating high-quality jobs, and through our knowledge institutions, we are working on preventive healthcare and a better quality of life. That is what Lifeport stands for: a vibrant and sustainable region where people can live longer and healthier lives.”
The power of connection
According to Van Huffelen, the region stands out because there is no single dominant sector or large company. "We do not have a port here, not one company that determines everything, nor do we have large headquarters. We have to rely on cooperation between many strong parties." And in her opinion, we should be more proud of that. "What happens here, for example in the field of research, is world-class. We just sometimes forget to tell people that." Van Dellen laughs: "We really should be more proud of what we do here."
Look ahead
A new Strategic Plan 'Broad prosperity and innovation in Lifeport Region Arnhem Nijmegen' for the period 2026-2030 is ready. A new phase is beginning for The Economic Board, in which projects must increasingly lead to structural impact. According to Van Huffelen, the region has everything it needs for this. "We have the knowledge, the companies and the cooperation to make really big steps and further develop this region as an economic engine," she says. The joint ambition is to contribute visibly to broad prosperity in the Netherlands and Europe.
