Subsidy - Joining hands for savings, innovation and natural gas-free

This grant is for projects that contribute to energy transition in Zoetermeer. Energy transition means the transition from power and heat from fossil fuels such as natural gas, to fully renewable energy.

The size of the budget depends on the design and scope of the plans. 

Thanks to the 'Handen ineen subsidy', 8 neighborhoods are already working together. View the overview of projects of residents who are working together to make their homes more sustainable In addition, 3 sustainable doers, 4 sustainable pioneers and more than 20 sustainable homeowners' associations have applied for and received subsidies to jointly make their homes more sustainable or to further develop an innovative idea.

Data for the applications

In 2025 and 2026 there will be 4 rounds for applying for the Handen Ineen subsidy:

• Round 1 > applications before March 15, 2025
• Round 2 > applications before October 15, 2025
• Round 3 > applications before March 15, 2026
• Round 4 > applications before October 15, 2026

There are 3 different types of subsidies + 1 specifically for VVE's:

Sustainable Beginners

• Budget of (maximum) €5,000.
• To help set up a neighborhood plan.
• Intended for costs of setting up, hall rental, flyers, speakers, etc.
• Minimum of 3 homeowners (single-family homes). Goal: get started with saving or generating (green) energy or natural gas-free solutions. 
• In your own street, neighborhood or district with a possible reach of at least 20 other homes.

Sustainable doers

• Budget of (maximum) €50,000.
• Intended for a cooperative, association or foundation.
• Intended for process and consultancy costs and coordination of energy ambassadors.
• Objective: to help residents save or generate (green) energy and natural gas-free solutions
• A reach of at least 100 residents.

Sustainable pioneers

• Budget of (maximum) € 15,000.
• Intended for process, research, development, testing or establishment costs.
• Intended for a natural person, foundation, association, cooperative or company (registered with the Chamber of Commerce).
• Objective: innovative idea or a joint approach that offers a solution for multiple homes, buildings or businesses in Zoetermeer.

Sustainable Owners' Associations (VvE's)

• Budget of (maximum) € 10,000.
• Intended for an Owners' Association. 
• Objective: process guidance for taking at least 2 sustainable measures (maximum 50% of the costs will be reimbursed).
• Condition: the VvE has already carried out a quick scan or energy-related advice and decided to develop 2 measures.

Conditions for submitting an application

• Your company, (energy) cooperative, association or foundation is located in Zoetermeer.
• The initiators are implementing the idea.
• The idea leads to energy saving, sustainable energy generation or energy storage.
• The idea serves as an example for the municipality of Zoetermeer.
• You are willing to share acquired knowledge and experiences.
• The idea will be completed within one year of receiving the grant.

For sustainable beginners, doers and pioneers

Applying for subsidy Hands together for beginners, doers and pioneers 

Please send with the application:

Make sure you have the following documents ready digitally before you start filling out the form. You must send these as an attachment.

• A project plan with a description of the goal, idea, planning and current status per component. An example can be found at the bottom of this web page under 'Useful links'.
• A budget with an estimate of the expected total costs. And (if necessary) a statement of co-financing, other subsidies or the possible contribution of third parties. In the case of a company and category sustainable pioneers a business case.
• The motivation of the party(ies) involved and their role in the project.
• A description of how residents are involved in the idea and benefit from it.
• Are you applying for the subsidy as a company? Then you must include a declaration of de minimis aid. In this declaration, you indicate whether you have received state aid in recent years. An example can be found at the bottom of this web page under 'Useful links'.

For Owners' Associations (VvE's)

Applying for subsidy Working together for VvE's

Please send with the application:

Make sure you have the following documents ready digitally before you start filling out the form. You must send these as an attachment.

• The quick scan or the customized energy advice.
• The report of the meeting of the VvE in which the decision was made to develop 2 sustainable measures.
• The price quote for the process guidance.
• Two recommendations from VvEs that have previously worked with this party.

Do you need to justify the subsidy? Then fill in the form below:

Accountable for subsidy Working together

Send along with the accountability:

• A written report with photographs stating:
  • A brief description of the activities carried out.
  • The number of inhabitants reached.
  • A brief description of the successes and lessons learned.
• The amount of money spent on subsidy. The amount cannot be higher than the provisional subsidy.
• An overview of the costs you have incurred. 
  • Please include invoices and proof of payment for the work carried out.
  • The costs must largely be equal to the estimate you submitted with your application. 

+ for Owners' Associations:

• The invoice (or invoices) from the party that supervised the process for the Vve.
• The quotations for the detailed measures and, if applicable, the applications for subsidies for the package of at least 2 sustainable measures.
• The report of the final decision-making General Meeting.

Sustainable Beginners and Doers and Pioneers

You can send an email to energieloket@zoetermeer.nl for more information about applying for this subsidy.

Owners' Associations (Vve)

If you have any questions about sustainability, please contact vveloket@zoetermeer.nl .

Within 6 weeks after the end of the application period and if your application is complete, you will hear whether you will receive the subsidy.

We announce the ideas that receive a subsidy on the Zoetermeer Energy Desk .

• Amended Energy Initiatives Scheme Zoetermeer 2025-2026 (IREZ)
• Energy Desk Zoetermeer | Tailor-made advice for your situation 
• Neighbourhood approach | Sustainable Energy Cooperative Zoetermeer (dezo.eu)
• Sample declaration of de minimis aid (pdf)
• Example project plan sustainable beginners (pdf)