The successful program for stimulating digitization in small and medium-sized businesses in the Leiden and Katwijk region is getting a sequel. Key Region Leiden, in cooperation with the province of South Holland, the participating regional municipalities and the regional entrepreneurs’ associations, will again offer the project under the name Digitaliseringwerkt.nl. Entrepreneurs can count on practical support, inspiration and concrete help over the next three years to make their business digitally future-proof. From first steps in online visibility and cyber resilience to applying data, online working and artificial intelligence (AI).
Concrete steps
Since 2021, more than 1,800 entrepreneurs have already been helped with workshops, vouchers and customized advice. Demand continues to grow; meetings are often full and vouchers are quickly sold out. In the next phase, the offering will be expanded to include additional focus on digital marketing, strategy and security as well as in-depth sessions for entrepreneurs who want to get started with advanced technology.
‘Entrepreneurs do not want thick reports but concrete steps that have an effect tomorrow,’ says Willem-Jan Zirkzee, board member of Key Region Leiden and chairman of Ondernemend Leiden. ‘With this offer we really make digitization work for SMEs. The previous project period proved that.’
The offer
For entrepreneurs, there will be inspiration sessions, practical workshops, tailored coaching (from a quick consultation to in-depth 1-on-1 support) and vouchers to hire external expertise (worth €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 with the entrepreneur also paying a small contribution himself). The existing online Digiscan remains available to quickly and easily get a picture of possible steps an entrepreneur can take.
The ambitions for 2026-2028
The program will make 10,000 entrepreneurs aware of digital opportunities, offer 500 entrepreneurs depth through workshops and actually help 246 entrepreneurs take concrete steps through coaching, 1-on-1 support and vouchers. The program is intended for the broad SME, from micro to medium, and for both basic and advanced digitalization levels. Sign up and more information can be found at digitaliseringwerkt.nl.
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