Smart and specialized: New markets in the Ruhr

Markets with growth potential

The concept of smart specialization has been developed by the European Commission in recent years. It calls for the regional prioritization of economic sectors with the greatest growth potential. In this way, new markets can be developed in a sustainable manner.

Initially, smart specialization was implemented exclusively at the level of the federal states - in the meantime, its importance for strengthening subregional competitiveness is becoming increasingly clear.

Strategy promotes strengths and innovations in the Ruhr Metropolis

The Business Metropole Ruhr and the local authorities were quick to recognize the advantages of this concept. The strategy of intelligent specialization explicitly starts at the sub-regional and local level.

The Business Metropole Ruhr will continue to accompany the municipalities in the Ruhr region in the S3 process. Working in partnership, the intelligent specialization will contribute to the expansion of the innovation and competitiveness of the Ruhr Metropolis.

The S3 strategy creates an important basis for the targeted acquisition of European funding for the new ERDF funding period.
With intelligent specialization, the European Commission promotes the economic strengths of the regions.
The strategy of intelligent specialization supports the municipalities of the Ruhr Metropolis in developing joint innovation projects.
S3 enables a discussion on the efficient distribution of resources and work processes between the municipalities.