Founders and Supporters

IND is a Dutch government body that decides on all applications of everyone who would like to live in the Netherlands. You may be applying for asylum, want to be here for family, or to work, or study in the Netherlands. IND is also here for everyone who has already been living here for some time and would like to apply for Dutch citizenship.

Connect International is now part of IWCN

The organisation Province of Groningen ensures that everything runs as smoothly as possible within the borders of the province of Groningen. This is done by the provincial government, consisting of the Provincial Council and the Provincial Executive, together with more than 1,000 civil servants, with a majority of these work in the provincial government office.

The province of Friesland, in the Netherlands, governs regional services, infrastructure, and development. Known for its unique language and culture, Friesland focuses on sustainability, economic growth, and tourism. It emphasizes water management, rural development, and preserving its natural landscapes and cultural heritage.

The province does important work for the residents of Drenthe, in many different areas. For example, the province is responsible for the design of nature reserves and maintains provincial roads and waterways, and supporting local organisations.

The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.

Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen (Hanze UAS) is the largest university of applied sciences in the Northern Netherlands. Hanze UAS we offers both bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in a variety of fields such as art, business, communication, engineering, and health.

The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands and is the largest employer in the Northern Netherlands. The more than 12,000 employees work together on care, research, training and education with the common objective: building the future of health.

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences challenges its students, staff and partners to reach beyond existing solutions and possibilities, to discover and develop their talents so as to contribute to social progress. They break down status quo and make unobvious choices. This stems from them daring to be themselves. It makes them original – and it makes NHL Stenden home of the originals.

Groningen is a young and vibrant city in the north of the Netherlands. The municipality is responsible for the delivery of public services both locally and regionally. It has a strong commitment and need for participation of all citizens and businesses in governing the municipality.

The municipality of Assen, located in the province of Drenthe, Netherlands, serves as the region's administrative and economic center. It oversees local services, infrastructure, and community development, and is known for its vibrant cultural scene, including the annual TT Assen motorcycling event.

Leeuwarden is the capital of Friesland in the Netherlands. Known for its historic center, it features picturesque canals, museums, and cultural sites. The city is a hub for education and government, and it served as the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

The municipality of Emmen, in Drenthe, Netherlands, manages local governance, services, and development. It is known for its emphasis on green spaces, the Wildlands Adventure Zoo, and robust industrial sectors. Emmen focuses on sustainability and community well-being.

The municipality of Smallingerland, in Friesland, Netherlands, oversees local governance, services, and community development. Centered around the town of Drachten, it focuses on economic growth, sustainability, and cultural activities. Smallingerland prioritizes industrial innovation, green initiatives, and enhancing residents' quality of life.

Eemsdelta is a municipality in the province of Groningen, Netherlands formed from the merger of Appingedam, Delfzijl and Loppersum.

The municipality of Heerenveen, in Friesland, Netherlands, manages local governance, services, and development. Renowned for its sports facilities, including the Thialf ice arena, Heerenveen emphasizes community well-being, economic growth, and sustainability. It balances modern infrastructure with green initiatives.

The municipality of Het Hogeland, in Groningen, Netherlands, oversees local services, infrastructure, and regional development. Known for its rural landscape, it focuses on agricultural sustainability, community welfare, and preserving cultural heritage. Het Hogeland emphasizes economic resilience and environmental stewardship.

The municipality of Midden-Groningen, in the Netherlands, oversees local governance, services, and development. It focuses on sustainability, economic growth, and community well-being. Known for its industrial and agricultural sectors, Midden-Groningen also emphasizes environmental preservation and cultural heritage.

The municipality of Noordenveld, in Drenthe, Netherlands, manages local governance, services, and community development. It focuses on sustainability, cultural heritage, and quality of life. Known for its natural landscapes and historic sites, Noordenveld emphasizes tourism, environmental conservation, and economic resilience.

The municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, in Friesland, Netherlands, manages local governance, services, and regional development. It is known for its extensive waterways, historic towns, and cultural events. The municipality prioritizes sustainability, tourism, and community well-being, fostering economic growth while preserving its natural and cultural heritage.

Groningse Schoolvereniging is a primary school with a strong international identity, where they offer an education based on the belief that children living and growing up in the 21st century are global citizens since birth. The world around them is a constantly and rapidly changing international society in different areas: social, technology, and economic.

The International School Groningen aims to provide a top-quality individualised education through internationally recognised curricula to young people between the age of 11 and 18. The school stimulates academic success, supporting its students to become lifelong learners, building on the skills and qualities of the International Baccalaureate programmes.

At Philips, we strive to improve people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. We aim to improve 2.5 billion lives per year by 2030, including 400 million in underserved communities. As a technology company, we, and our licensees, deliver innovation to people based on one consistent belief: there is always a way to make life better.

Gasunie is an energy network company. In the Netherlands and Northern Germany we manage and maintain the infrastructure for large-scale gas transport and storage. Now this is mainly natural gas. With the energy transition, this will increasingly shift to green gas and hydrogen.

GasTerra is a wholesaler in natural gas and green gas. We buy gas from domestic and foreign producers and on the open gas market.

Noorderlink makes and keeps the labor market in the North attractive. We believe in connecting. We encourage collaborations between professionals and organizations and help them develop.