Limburg among the top smartest regions of the world

Limburg is one of the most innovative regions worldwide. Every year, the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) selects 21 regions from around the world that excel in innovation, knowledge development, and sustainability. Limburg is part of this selection - the so-called Smart21 - and is thus nominated for the title 'The Intelligent Community of the Year'.

This was announced on Friday during the Brightlands Symposium at The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), which focused on the impact of innovation. ICF Chairman and founder Louis Zacharilla praised the Limburg region for the groundbreaking innovations that are arising here through a collaboration of knowledge institutions, education, Brightlands Campuses, business, and government. "Limburg is one of the best-kept secrets within the ICF network of places we investigate. So much is happening here in the field of medical technology, new materials, artificial intelligence, and healthy nutrition. My suggestion is that they do not keep this potential success story to themselves. It's time they gain more visibility!"

Motivation for more innovation

Stephan Satijn, a member of the Provincial Executive, is pleased with the nomination of Limburg. "This is a great recognition of what we have already achieved in recent years: through our campuses, our commitment to the Einstein Telescope, and the strength of our local businesses. This motivates us to continue on the chosen track. To focus even more on innovation and ensure that society benefits from this. We want everyone, in Limburg and beyond, to share in the progress we are making. We will be even more forceful in conveying that story in the coming period, with Brightlands increasingly becoming the brand name with which innovative Limburg presents itself."

Sharing knowledge worldwide

The ICF is a global federation of over 200 cities and regions that help each other use technology for inclusive and broad prosperity, with an eye for sustainability to enrich the quality of life. As a member of the ICF, Limburg hopes to learn from the knowledge and experience of other regions in the world about how they organise innovation and development, and to apply these lessons in the further development of Limburg as an innovation region. In this way, Limburg also aims to increase the chances for the arrival of the Einstein Telescope to this Euregion.

Proven innovation strength

The ICF has tested the Limburg membership on criteria ranging from proven innovation strength and functioning of triple helix collaborations, to knowledge development and digital infrastructure. Based on this, the Brightlands Limburg Region was admitted to the federation and subsequently became one of the 21 nominees for the international title of Intelligent Community of the Year. From these Smart21, the smartest region of the year will ultimately be chosen in October. So far, only Brainport Eindhoven in The Netherlands has managed to win this title. That was in 2011.

Leading position Limburg

Last June, the European Union also awarded Limburg the prestigious label 'Regional Innovation Valley' and the year before, our province was promoted to Innovation Leader on the Regional Innovation Scoreboard. These awards underline Limburg's leading position in innovation and offer new opportunities for further growth and investments in the region.