Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters reforms and simplifies the procedures within the Pendelfonds. The Flemish government gives its final approval to this. “Sustainability and administrative simplification are two of the four pillars of my policy and come together in this reform of the Shuttle Fund”, said Minister Peters.
”I had the Pendelfonds evaluated and that showed that approving and monitoring subsidy files for the Pendelfonds should be easier. We want to avoid procedures and bureaucracy deterring people from submitting projects. I want to create a cycling ambition and cycling reflex at companies, the simplification of the procedures for the Pendelfonds is part of this. A new call for subsidies will soon follow to enable sustainable mobility projects.”
“Companies are a crucial link in the transition to a sustainable commuter traffic”
The Pendelfonds subsidizes projects that promote sustainable commuter traffic. Projects that aim to reduce the number of car journeys in the field of commuter traffic may be eligible for subsidy from the fund. Companies or other private institutions, but also local or provincial authorities or other public institutions (in collaboration with a private partner) can apply for the subsidy. Since 2007, a total oft Pendelfonds 25,8 million euros in subsidys paid to companies. In total, more than 300.000 employees were involved.
A thorough evaluation in 2020, in collaboration with the Provincial Mobility Point, the supervisory committee and the Department of Mobility and Public Works, showed that too little is being invested in cross-company collaboration. That's just 18 percent. “We also see that in recent years most subsidies go to the large companies”, said Minister Peters. That is why, among other things, the maximum subsidy amount will be increased when a file is submitted jointly by several companies. “This change in the Pendulum Fund is crucial to stimulate cross-company collaboration. So that we can also motivate smaller SMEs to submit a sustainable mobility project together.” says Minister Peters.
Also read: Flemish mobility center in foreign hands
