What is it intended for?

Primary schools or umbrella organisations representing primary schools can apply for funding to create a green schoolyard. If they apply for funding for a green schoolyard, they may also include the costs of preparatory activities. This concerns drawing up a design and a five-year management and maintenance plan.

Play equipment and structures with or on which children can play are not eligible for the subsidy. Examples include a climbing frame, slide or spring rocker.

Play features that contribute to a nature-rich play and learning environment, such as stepping stones, willow tunnels and water pumps, are eligible for the subsidy.

Application requirements

The new schoolyard must make a substantial contribution to at least two of the three main objectives:

  • More biodiversity.
  • A healthier living environment.
  • Improved climate resilience.

In addition, a project must meet the following requirements:

  1. You must carry out the activity within 24 months of the subsidy being granted.
  2. If the activity is carried out wholly or partly on someone else’s property, written permission from the landowner is required.
  3. If a permit or exemption is required, it must be in place and valid when the activity starts.
  4. You may apply for a subsidy for each schoolyard only once. Umbrella organisations may submit a separate subsidy application for each school in their organisation.
  5. You must submit the application before construction of the green schoolyard begins. You may already have started work on the design and the management or maintenance plan.
  6. At least 50 percent of the planting must consist of native plants and/or plants that demonstrably contribute to biodiversity. The planting must not be invasive. More information about the planting can be found in the explanatory notes to the subsidy scheme external link under ‘Article 1.3 General criteria’, paragraph 2 ‘requirements for planting’. Examples of native plants can be found in our plant list (PDF).
  7. You must describe how management will be secured for five years.

Criteria for the schoolyards

  1. The design of the green schoolyard contributes to preventing flooding caused by rainwater and drought, for example by removing paving. Where possible, also allow rainwater to visibly infiltrate into the soil, for example through gutters, infiltration areas, water plazas, swales and similar measures.
  2. Part of the planting is edible and thereby contributes to awareness of healthy food choices, such as fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, a vegetable garden, etc.
  3. The schoolchildren are given an active role in managing and maintaining the schoolyard.
  4. In addition, the green schoolyard meets at least three of the following five requirements:
  • The play environment is diverse.
  • The design of the schoolyard includes facilities to promote biodiversity and fauna.
  • The design of the schoolyard helps prevent heat stress by creating shade.
  • Schoolchildren or neighbourhood children and their parents or carers are involved in the design process from the outset.
  • Use of the schoolyard is integrated into the curriculum: Inspiration for this can be found at the Utrecht Schoolyards Service Point.
  • At least 50 percent of the green schoolyard has a natural, native green character.

For a more detailed explanation of the above list, see the explanatory notes to the scheme, section 2.2

The province of Utrecht has a dedicated page about the voucher scheme. It provides information about:

  • The amount of funding.
  • How to apply for the subsidy.
  • The assessment.
  • After the subsidy has been granted.