Update May 13: The voucher scheme is FULL. Applicants will receive response soon. A new voucher round with another 50 vouchers will start after the summer. Keep an eye on this website and the project website Digitaliseringwerkt.nl for updates.

Digitaliseringwerkt.nl

For whom is the voucher intended?

The voucher is intended for SME entrepreneurs from Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten or Zoeterwoude* who want to improve their business with digital solutions, for example in the area of:

• Digital strategy
• Digital marketing
• Automation
• Digital security
• Deployment of new technology such as AI.

You choose what you use the voucher for, as long as the effort demonstrably contributes long-term to the digitization of your company.

* Entrepreneurs located on the Ugstgeester portion of the LBSP may also apply for a voucher.

Practice

Height of voucher

The maximum amount of the voucher depends on the size of your business:

	Max. amount voucher	Own contribution on top of voucher1st voucher	Own contribution on top of voucher 2nd voucher
Zzp	€ 1.000	25%	50%
Up to 15 fte	€ 1.000	25%	50%
15 to 29 fte.	€ 2.500	25%	50%
30 to 50 fte.	€ 5.000	25%	50%

Companies with more than 50 employees cannot apply for a voucher. A limited number of voucher are available for self-employed individuals.

To illustrate:

• Company with 17 FTE received a voucher in 2025 and is now applying for a voucher. The total investment is € 5,000. They receive a voucher of € 2,500 (50%) and pay € 2,500 (50%) themselves.
• Company with 17 FTE has not yet received a voucher and is now applying for a voucher. The total investment is €3,333.33. They receive a voucher of €2,500 (75%) and pay €8,333.33 (25%) themselves.
• Company with 7 FTE received a voucher in 2025 and is now applying for a voucher. The total investment is €800. They receive a voucher of €400 (50%) and pay €400 (50%) themselves.
• Company with 7 FTE has never received a voucher before and is now applying for a voucher. The total investment is €800. They receive a voucher of €600 (75%) and pay €200 (25%) themselves.

Find more information on our project website Digitalization.co.uk.

Wider range

Take advantage of the offer of coaching, workshops and the Digi-scan. You can read more about it at the link below.

Welke mkb-workshop kies jij?

Take part in a practical workshop on digitization and take concrete steps for immediate improvement within your company. You can also make use of personal coaching and a Digi-scan: an initial online check that provides insight into where your company currently stands on the digital front. The workshops are specifically intended for SME entrepreneurs from Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude who want to get started hands-on with digitization.

You can find the offer on our separate project website digitaliseringwerkt.nl.

May 19 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Findability of your company using AI
How do you make sure that customers find you better online, and what role can AI play in this? In this workshop you will learn how search behavior is changing, how AI can help you with findability and what concrete steps you can take tomorrow. Sign up.

May 26 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Creating Content in Canva with AI
Creating good content takes time. AI can help, provided you use it smartly. In this workshop you’ll get started creating relevant content for your website, newsletters and social media, with practical examples and clear do’s and don’ts. Sign up.

June 9 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Powerful business presence on LinkedIn with AI
Whether you’re just getting started with LinkedIn or want to improve your profile and posts, this workshop combines the basics with depth. You will learn how to use LinkedIn effectively for visibility, networking and leads, without taking a lot of time. Sign up.

On May 11, noon, we will open a new voucher round via Digitaliseringwerkt.nl (our project website). This scheme is specially designed to support SMEs in the municipalities of Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude in their digitization efforts. Entrepreneurs can receive up to €5,000 back from their investment. Please note: you will need a quote from your supplier when applying.

“In recent years, our program has been very successful in supporting entrepreneurs. Therefore, we are very happy to issue a good number of vouchers again in the coming years, with the first opportunity in 2026 on May 11,” said project leader Dwayne van der Klugt.

Website voucher application

What is the voucher scheme?

The voucher scheme is a financial incentive that helps companies digitize their operations. The voucher can be used for a wide range of digitization projects. Think of digital marketing, such as improving a website or webshop, but also cyber security. Depending on the size of the company, an entrepreneur can receive € 1,000, € 2,500 or € 5,000. This always requires the entrepreneur to contribute at least 25% of the costs himself.

How to Apply.

Companies registered in one of the participating municipalities and employing up to 50 FTEs can apply. Applications can be submitted starting May 11 at noon via the form on the website. Should there be more applications for vouchers in the first 48 hours after opening than there is budget, lots will be drawn. In principle, the assessment will take place within ten working days.

The application itself only takes a few minutes, but some preparation is necessary. Therefore, entrepreneurs are advised to act now and prepare their application. Three coaches are available to help with this. Scheduling an appointment can also be done through the website.

Workshops and coaching

Take a practical workshop and take immediate improvement steps within your company. Choose from:

• May 19: Findable with AI
• May 26: Creating content with AI and Canva
• June 9: Linkedin with AI for your business

View the workshops

In addition, there are opportunities for coaching. Choose what suits you:

• 1-on-1 Coaching: The 1-on-1 course is designed for entrepreneurs who are looking for depth and want to work specifically on their digitization issue. Together with an experienced digitization coach you will work on your specific situation.
• Coaching by students: In coaching by students, you get practical support from well-supervised students from the region. For example, they will help you develop, test or apply digital solutions within your company, such as improving online visibility, deploying tools or optimizing processes.
• Long-term coaching: Long-term coaching is designed for entrepreneurs who want to tackle digitization structurally. Instead of one loose conversation, you work with a regular digitization coach over a longer period of time.

Make an appointment

Complete the Digi-scan

Curious about where you are now with your company: fill out the Digi-scan. After 10 to 15 minutes you will know which profile fits your company and which next step you can take. With your personal score in your pocket, we would like to help you on your way with digitization!

Gan to Digi-scan

Curious about entrepreneurs who have gone before you: read their experiences.

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.’

In de praktijk

Angela Beresford (pictured wearing Phoebeees T-shirt) started Phoebeees as a creative business at the kitchen table, with a passion for workshops and children’s parties. But like many small business owners, she found that online visibility and attracting customers was a challenge. The webshop was up and running, but how do you make sure people find you and keep coming back? For this she used a voucher of Key Region Leiden, which was presented to her by alderman Romeijn.

With a voucher to digital growth

With the help of a voucher from this program from Key Region Leiden, Angela was able to bring in expertise. Together with marketing agency Danielle Social Marketing from Leiderdorp, she worked on her goals to improve her web shop, use social media strategically and attract more customers in order to increase sales and increase her brand awareness.

That approach quickly paid off: the Phoebeees.com webshop is now visited much more frequently, her social media channels are attracting more followers and interaction, and she is being asked more often for workshops and children’s parties.

Angela says: “Because of the advice, I started tinkering with my webshop and socials more professionally. I have become more visible and especially better known in the area. Right now I’m even working on putting my YouTube channel live – something that was really out of my comfort zone. “

Growth enterprise and local economy

Alderman Herman Romeijn emphasizes that digitization is an important growth opportunity for local entrepreneurs: “By making smart use of digital resources, small businesses can expand their reach and grow their sales. This strengthens not only the entrepreneur himself, but also the local economy. Phoebeees is a great example of how digitization and social media can make a business more well-known regionally. With the right guidance and use of digital tools, the step to growth is closer than ever.”

About Making digitization work for you

Let Digitization Work for You offers entrepreneurs in the region support in cashing in on the opportunities offered by digitization. Entrepreneurs can participate in free workshops, take advantage of free coaching or vouchers of up to €5,000 for projects such as website improvement, cybersecurity and digital customer interaction.

 

Digitalization offers entrepreneurs in Voorschoten enormous opportunities to work smarter and more efficiently. An inspiring example is Firma Freek van Os, an installation company that took an innovative step with the help of a digitization voucher, presented by Alderman Paul de Bruijn.

Innovation in the installation world

Freek van Os specializes in water, gas, roofs, sewers, ventilation and sustainable measures. The company works with InSmart, an advanced monitoring system that remotely reads relevant values from central heating boilers via a module near the boiler. This system provides maintenance, warning, fault and advisory notifications, allowing maintenance to be scheduled more efficiently and preventing boiler failure.

The power of coupling: InSmart and ERP

With the help of the voucher, Firma Freek van Os has taken an important step: a link between InSmart and its own ERP system. Thanks to this link, the company automatically receives notifications about boilers and heat pumps that need maintenance in the near future. Normally, maintenance is carried out every 20 months, unless InSmart signals earlier. The ERP system then automatically generates a work order, which can be scheduled immediately.

Harm van Os says: “Maintenance is planned more efficiently, boiler failures are prevented and customers receive targeted energy advice. That delivers a huge efficiency gain for us as a company.”

Why is this important?

This digitization not only saves time and money, but also increases customer satisfaction. By preventing breakdowns and providing proactive advice, Firma Freek van Os contributes to more sustainable and reliable energy management.

Support from the municipality

The municipality of Voorschoten welcomes such initiatives. Alderman Paul de Bruijn emphasizes, “Digitization is an important driver for innovation and sustainability. Companies like Firma Freek van Os show how technology can contribute to better service and future-proof business operations.”

With this approach, Firma Freek van Os is an inspiring example for other entrepreneurs in Voorschoten: digitization works!

Leiderdorp’s Winkelhof has gained a Toko, and what a Toko! In addition to daily fresh Oriental meals, Toko Winkelhof offers a variety of Oriental ingredients and products. Owners Prins Sandhu and Gumukh Dhaliwal have digitalized their Oriental supermarket as much as possible. That will save a lot of work later. Our voucher from “Make digitization work for you” came in handy.

Everything renewed

The past few months have been hard work to get Toko Winkelhof open on time says Sandhu (38). Just about everything has been renewed in the storefront in the covered Leiderdorp shopping center. A nice fresh Oriental supermarket with a fresh food counter is the result. Fresh rice tables and other Indonesian dishes are on sale every day. There is also a small assortment of Surinamese dishes. And for those who want to cook for themselves, there is an extensive assortment of Japanese, Thai and Indian ingredients displayed beyond the fresh food counter.

Digital shelf cards and order kiosks

Scanning in all these products was an immense task, Sandhu says, “But it pays off, we think, to set it up right from day one.” Sandhu is no layman when it comes to digitization. As an interim manager, he improves ICT processes at government agencies. And his brother-in-law Dhaliwal also has a strong focus on improving processes. So when they decided to open a shop in the Winkelhof, digital shelf cards linked to stock and financial accounting could not be missed. They also chose two ordering kiosks for takeout. “Older people will still like to order at the cash register but the younger generation finds such a kiosk on which they can scroll past all the dishes much nicer.”

Slimme innovatie met inzet mkb-voucher

Digital linking saves time

The digital linking of inventory, sales, and financial administration is going to save a lot of time, Sandhu expects. “And it will provide us with good analyses quickly. With those insights and the time savings, we think we’ll recoup our investments.”

The two entrepreneurs’ time is precious. In addition to the new toko, they also run a wholesale Seafood business. And as if that were not enough, Dhaliwal is also a dentist and Sandhu an interim manager. “We come from true entrepreneurial families. Hard and a lot of work is part of it for us. Seizing opportunities, improving things. We love that.”

In the coming period, the entrepreneurs will be in the Winkelhof a lot. “We first want to experience for ourselves how everything works, and get all the teething problems out of the system ourselves. Only when everything is running well will we hand over tasks to our staff.” A next digitization step will involve marketing. “You have to be present on socials these days. So who knows, we might apply for a voucher for that in the future.”

Connecting on time

Sandhu happened to see the vouchers from “Make digitization work for you. “Through LinkedIn I think. I applied for one right away because we invest a multiple of the voucher in our IT.” The application was very simple and arranged in no time. “I can recommend it to everyone.”

He thinks it makes sense for the government to encourage SMEs to digitize. “The government is demanding more and more from entrepreneurs in terms of data exchange. So there is a shared responsibility there. I find it logical that entrepreneurs are then helped with that.”

He doubts that digitization is a high priority in SMEs. “When I look at our wholesale customers, I notice that they are not working on it. While it is important that SMEs become future-proof. So I understand the government’s focus on this issue. Entrepreneurs need to connect in time. Otherwise the distance to the modern possibilities becomes too great and you don’t take advantage of the opportunities.”

Digitaliseringsslag versnelt de intake

Take advantage of your opportunities as well

Do you also want to seize the opportunities of digitization? Then explore your opportunities together with our SME coaches. It’s free and will give you many insights. Go to www.digitaliseringwerkt.nl to make an (online) appointment. Would you first like to identify your opportunities yourself? Then fill in the Digi-scan. After 10 to 15 minutes you will know which profile suits your company and which next step you can take. With your personal score in your pocket, we would like to help you on your way with digitization!

Let digitization work for you is a program of Key Region and the participating municipalities of Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude. The program may get a sequel in 2026. Don’t miss that info by signing up for our newsletter or follow us on Linkedin.

You have to move with the times, but with the current (too low) rates for physical therapy, it’s hard to invest, knows Anne Kluivers of Voorschoten-based physical therapy practice Paulides + Partners. “So when you can get a subsidy for much-needed digitization and cybersecurity, that’s incredibly nice.” With the voucher from Let digitalization work for you, Paulides + Partners expanded its services with a clear app in which patients can find their exercises, among other things.

20 years of experience

Anne Kluivers has been in the Paulides + Partners partnership for three years. But she has been working at the Voorschoten physiotherapy practice for almost 20 years. Together with 17 colleagues, she ensures that Voorschoten residents can come to Paulides for just about any physiotherapy complaint.

For their patient data and administration, Paulides + Partners has been using a healthcare-proven software package for years. This package needs expansion and innovation to keep up with the times.

“Innovating is quite an investment,” Anne explains. “And in healthcare the money is not there for the taking. Especially not now that the rates for physical therapy have hardly increased for years. So the voucher from Let digitization work for you was really a godsend for us.”

Exception

Anne heard about this low-threshold grant opportunity at a meeting of Voorschoten’s business association. “I raised this great opportunity with my fellow partnership members and they also responded positively. We applied for the voucher through the Key Region Leiden (formerly Economie071) website and received an approval. In doing so, an exception was made for us to the rule that the voucher must be tendered to a company in this region. Our practice has been working with this vendor for more than 43 years. And within healthcare, it is incredibly important that we work to high safety standards.”

With the expansion of the software, Paulides + Partners can send its clients a questionnaire even before the intake interview. “That saves us administrative pressure and it makes the intake process go faster,” says Paulides + Partners. It also gives patients the ability to download a care app that lists appointments, physical therapy exercises being given and other information and tips.

The colleagues at Paulides + Partners with Anne in the middle of the bottom row.

Home Visits

The new software also allows physical therapists to access the system via their cell phones. That allows them to access patient records and schedule appointments during home visits. “It’s very nice to be able to access records securely via our mobile. It saves a lot of scribbles and notes on paper that have to be sorted out or entered later.”

The next digitization step is to automate part of all administrative operations using AI. Anne is very much looking forward to that.

“Like the rest of healthcare, we are weighed down by the administrative burden. All the data we have to enter takes up a lot of our time. If AI can take over some of that, it will be a godsend for the sector. But when that will be is still a question mark for me, too. I am a physical therapist, not an ICT or AI specialist. And as healthcare people, we prefer to deal with people, because that’s where our heart lies.

”
Wondering what digitization could mean for your business? Check out our project site, complete the digiscan, schedule a coaching call and attend one of the workshops below.

• November 11 (Leiden or Leiderdorp): LinkedIn Branding using AI (for advanced students).
• November 18 (Voorschoten): AI: Opportunity or Crisis? What does AI mean for your business?
• Nov. 25 (Leiden) – Personal Brand on LinkedIn with AI (basics)

UPDATE 9 oktober: Het maximaal aantal van 60 aanvragen is bereikt. De mogelijkheid tot aanvragen van een voucher is daarom gesloten.

Vandaag, 6 oktober om 12.00 uur, kunnen ondernemers via onze projectsite een voucher aanvragen voor digitalisering binnen hun bedrijf. De regeling is bedoeld voor ondernemers uit de gemeente Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten en Zoeterwoude.

Uitdagingen en kansen

De urgentie om met MKB-vraagstukken rondom digitalisering aan de slag te gaan is groot. Wat nu gewone handelingen zijn, zoals online boodschappen doen, met je telefoon betalen, verschillende slimme apparaten met elkaar verbinden en op grote schaal digitaal vergaderen, was enkele jaren geleden nog aanzienlijk minder ingeburgerd. In hoog tempo landen deze ontwikkelingen in alle sectoren en maatschappelijke domeinen waardoor het impact heeft op iedereen. En dus ook op ondernemers in het mkb. Daar zien we dat digitalisering nieuwe kansen biedt, maar mkb-ondernemers tegelijkertijd ook voor nieuwe uitdagingen stelt om deze kansen goed te benutten. Kennis en tijd ontbreek vaak bij hen om goed aan de slag te gaan. Het initiatief ‘Laat digitalisering voor je werken’ helpt daarbij met coaching, workshops en een voucherregeling.

Het is een samenwerking van vijf gemeenten, de ondernemersverenigingen en de onderwijs- en kennisinstellingen uit de 071-regio. De vijf gemeenten die actief bijdragen aan dit project zijn: Katwijk, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten en Zoeterwoude. Het project wordt mede mogelijk gemaakt door de Provincie Zuid-Holland.

Lees op de projectsite voorbeelden van ondernemers die al een voucher hebben benut, zoals Palfinger uit Zoeterwoude.

A company website is the company’s online business card. Therefore, it is crucial to keep it up-to-date so that potential customers can immediately see what the company stands for. Using a digitization voucher from Key Region Leiden, Wouter van den Aarsen of Palfinger invested in a new website that not only increases visibility, but also improves security levels and is ready for AI integration.

Increased online visibility and ease of use

“Our new website is a big step forward,” says Van den Aarsen. “We operate in an innovative and technical sector, and our old website did not do justice to that. Thanks to the voucher, we now have a modern, user-friendly site that reflects our identity much better and is also ready for future digital applications such as AI.”

Municipality supports digital growth

The voucher was presented to Palfinger by Alderman Paul Olthof of the municipality of Zoeterwoude. “It is great to see that Palfinger is investing in digital visibility and security. The new website is therefore a valuable step towards a future-proof company,” Olthof said.

Digitization offers opportunities

“Investing in digitalization is essential for the success of entrepreneurs,” Olthof says. “As a region, we are happy to contribute to this. With initiatives such as the digitization voucher, we make companies and our municipality stronger and future-oriented.”

Entrepreneurs who want to work on digitizing their business can apply for a voucher or participate in workshops organized together with business associations. These associations, like the municipality of Zoeterwoude, are project partners in this initiative.

Apply for a voucher yourself?

Do you also want to work on digitizing your business? Apply for a voucher from Let digitalization work for you, an initiative of Key Region Leiden. “In October, the new voucher round will open. Schedule a coaching session now via the website to prepare your application,” says project leader Dwayne van der Klugt. “And be quick in October, because gone is gone!”