Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) maintains close ties with organisations and knowledge institutions in the Rijnmond region and surrounding areas. The university is actively involved in various partnerships dedicated to strengthening the region.
Contacts
- Immanuel Nijssen
Rijnmond region and Province of South Holland
Email address - Isabel van der Heiden
Convergence, Leiden-Delft-Erasmus (LDE)
Email address
Regional Collaboration
By bridging the gap between academia and practice in areas such as future-proof ports, a resilient society, health, sustainability, broad prosperity and digitalisation, EUR plays a key role in various regional partnerships. The university also contributes to four Regio Deals, which are partly funded by national government.
Regional Partnerships
EUR joins forces with other educational institutions in the region and collaborates with public authorities, businesses, civil society organisations and professionals.
Convergence is a collaborative model linking social, technical and medical knowledge and methodologies. This partnership between Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), Erasmus MC and TU Delft was launched in 2020. Through this alliance, we are working together to tackle complex, pressing challenges facing the Rotterdam region and urban deltas worldwide.
The alliance focuses on five key areas:
Complex societal challenges call for an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach, as well as collaboration with partners in the community. That is why three leading universities in the region are joining forces, thereby capitalising on their proximity and complementary strengths. Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) are collaborating within the LDE strategic alliance. This partnership focuses on sustainability, inclusivity, health and digitalisation. These topics guide current and future education and research within the LDE framework.
Medical Delta is a transdisciplinary partnership between Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), Erasmus MC, TU Delft, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden University and four universities of applied sciences in South Holland (The Hague, Rotterdam, Leiden and Inholland University of Applied Sciences). Medical Delta works with businesses, healthcare institutions and public authorities to develop innovative solutions for sustainable healthcare. A group of Medical Delta professors and senior lecturers from EUR and Erasmus MC has been appointed to act as liaisons between scientific disciplines and between academic research and practice.
The Vereniging Deltametropool (Deltametropool Association) was founded by local authorities, businesses and professionals who share a common mission to transform the Rhine and Meuse delta into a beautiful, liveable, healthy and green metropolis. Both organisations and professionals are welcome to become members.
SmartPort is a partnership between the Rotterdam Port Authority, Deltalinqs, the City of Rotterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), TU Delft, TNO, Deltares and Marin. As a knowledge hub, SmartPort has one central objective: to develop knowledge for the port of the future (2030–2050). Its activities are driven by the needs of Rotterdam's business community and are designed to accelerate innovation.
CEPHIR is the Academic Public Health Workshop for the Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Zeeland and South Holland South regions. CEPHIR connects researchers, policymakers, administrators and professionals to work together towards a vibrant and healthy society, reducing health inequalities and providing the evidence base for effective health policy.
The collaboration aimed at improving care and support for "people exhibiting incomprehensible or confused behaviour" in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region has evolved into a regional knowledge lab (RKOG-RR). The knowledge lab was founded by Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB). Participating partners include healthcare and knowledge institutions, the police and local authorities such as the municipalities of Rotterdam and Krimpen aan den IJssel. RKOG-RR will be funded over the coming years by a grant from ZonMw.
Regio Deals
Regio Deals are collaborative agreements between the Dutch national government and regional parties. They are working together on broad prosperity by improivng housing and working conditions as well as the living environment. Through Convergence's Resilient Delta Initiative, EUR is involved in four Regio Deals.
The Smart Delta Drechtsteden Regional Deal aims to improve residents' lives and make the environment healthier at the same time. This regional deal focuses on using technology to drive social progress.
Resilient Delta contributes through the SPRING research consortium and the T-Roffa Lab. SPRING focuses on research in close collaboration with public authorities, businesses, citizens and various other stakeholders. The aim is to improve lifestyle and the living environment and to increase residents' life expectancy.
The Dutch national government is providing €17.7 million. The municipalities of Maassluis, Rotterdam, Schiedam and Vlaardingen, alongside other partners, are also contributing. The funds are allocated to initiatives aimed at:
- liveable neighbourhoods;
- sustainable employment;
- a future-proof living environment.
Resilient Delta explores, analyses and develops strategies that postiviely influence economy and society in the Waterweg region.
Capelle aan den IJssel, Zoetermeer and Nissewaard are growth centres dating from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Many neighbourhoods in these towns have now become outdated and their quality of life is declining.
Researchers from Resilient Delta are working in living labs alongside other Regional Deal partners to develop concrete solutions for the most pressing challenges in these neighbourhoods.
The broad prosperity of the internationally renowned floriculture area is under pressure. That is why the national government and the region are each investing €10 million in projects in the Dune and Bulb Region, the area around Aalsmeer and the towns around Boskoop.
Soil and water quality are declining, space is limited and the regional labour market is heavily dependent on migrant workers. The Resilient Delta initiative is working closely with 14 local municipalities, the Hoogheemraadschap Rijnland (Water Board) and other partners in the region to make the floriculture area future-proof.
Erasmus Institutes focused on external cooperation in the region
ECE is the centre for entrepreneurship education and research at EUR. ECE supports start-ups and experienced entrepreneurs by providing knowledge, networks and resources to help them turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Through collaboration with entrepreneurs, academics, public authorities and industry partners, ECE gives a significant boost to entrepreneurship and economic and social change.
Through impact thinking, measurement and management, the Erasmus Impact Centre aims to encourage organisations to make the greatest possible contribution to society. This enables organisations to deploy their people and resources more consciously and effectively to achieve their economic, social and environmental goals. The Erasmus Impact Centre works with and for businesses, public authorities, NGOs and charities to support them in making informed decisions.
Interested in working with us?
Erasmus University Rotterdam actively seeks to connect with partners from the wider community.
