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In 2015, the Smart Industry programme was launched in the Netherlands by a coalition consisting of FME, TNO, KvK, VNO-NCW, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. This network programme aims to promote the digitisation of the manufacturing industry on a broad scale and to better leverage the opportunities offered by digital technology. Within the Smart Industry programme, a structure has been created with a national level (including a programme office), hubs, and fieldlabs. A regional approach has been adopted from the outset, building on initiatives and efforts from the region. The fieldlab structure was established from the beginning of the programme with the designation of 10 fieldlabs, later expanded to the current 47 Smart Industry fieldlabs. Additionally, since 2018, five regional Smart Industry hubs have been established. Over the period 2015-2019, the financing (by companies, the state, regions, knowledge institutions, and the EU) of just the fieldlabs amounted to an estimated €314 million cumulatively.
While the programme has contributed to further digitisation of the manufacturing industry, its effectiveness is not consistently clear across all activities. The program's efficiency is also not straightforward, especially from a regional perspective. Both areas have further potential for improvement. Dialogic has recommended continuing the Smart Industry programme, but with more clarity on its objectives, responsibilities, and broadening in certain aspects. The main recommendations are:
- Transform the Smart Industry programme back into a nationally coordinated programme with a clear common thread and a number of distinct modules that are filled and funded in collaboration with the region.
- Redefine the ambition regarding skills development in relation to Smart Industry and determine which aspects of skills development should realistically fall within the programme.
- Create clarity on the target audience(s) and focus on further broadening/scaling up.
- Establish a clear division of roles and responsibilities between the national programme (office), hubs, and fieldlabs, and incorporate ample demand-driven elements.
- Formulate an intervention logic where measurable output targets are based on the challenges that entrepreneurs face in digitalisation.
