Room for Connection and Inspiration at the MICS Campus during the Riverboard LLO meeting

On Thursday, November 21, the annual Lifelong Development (LLO) meeting of the Riverboard took place. Representatives from businesses, regional organizations, government, and education gathered at the Synergy building on the Mechatronics Innovation Campus Schiedam (MICS) to share the latest local initiatives.

The LLO meeting emphasized the need for greater connection and a clear overview of regional initiatives. Various collaborative projects involving entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and governments were presented through an interactive discussion – aided by an actor – that centered on the needs of both residents and entrepreneurs. In addition to MICS, other initiatives such as Loods M and the Food Innovation Academy were discussed. Various partners and business associations were present.

The Riverboard is a collaboration of businesses, governments, educational institutions, and social organizations in the Waterweg municipalities of Maassluis, Vlaardingen, and Schiedam. Its mission is to accelerate the growth of prosperity and well-being in these municipalities.

Waterweg Region Deal

Denise Mulder, alderman of Maassluis, provided an update on the regional deal for the Waterweg area. Various regional projects were highlighted, including The Riverboard projects. During group sessions, participants discussed ways to enhance collaboration and coordination to prevent fragmentation and strengthen the region. The conclusion was clear: more cooperation and connections are needed. New initiatives were deemed unnecessary at this stage. Instead, the focus shifted to creating a comprehensive overview of all LLO initiatives, with commitments made to facilitate accessible communication.

Catering by SOCOCO

The Synergy building served as the backdrop for this inspiring session. Catering during the event was provided by The Social Coffee Collective (SOCOCO), an organization that offers job opportunities to individuals initially distanced from the labor market. SOCOCO supports underappreciated talent in (re)discovering their skills and creativity. Their involvement added a meaningful touch to the overarching theme of Lifelong Development.