Verbund regionen.NRW
We are the alliance of the nine regional development organizations in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier. Together, we are committed to shaping regional policy in a future-oriented way. We organize regional cooperation, develop strategies, and initiate projects for a strong economy and livable regions. Our work follows a bottom-up approach, driven by the districts and independent cities, business, and science.
You can find our flyer here.
We pool regional interests and represent them to state, federal, and EU institutions.
We bring together stakeholders and partners, develop joint concepts, learn from one another, and promote knowledge transfer between the regions.
We make an important contribution to regional development for a livable and attractive future for North Rhine-Westphalia.
With regional expertise, we strengthen the visibility and impact of all regions in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the Bergisches Land region, a new digital tool for flood protection is being developed: the “Bergisches Flood Warning System 4.0” (HWS 4.0). The aim
Largest Single Funding to Date for “Green Factory” – Topics Including Inclusion, Circular Economy, and Digital Healthcare – Funding for REGIONALE Projects by the State
What course is Europe setting for the future of its structural policy and regional funding? How can competitiveness, innovation and cohesion in the regions be
On July 7, 2025, the large-scale art installation “ECHO” at the Aggertalsperre was officially inaugurated as part of the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand. More than
The alliance regionen.NRW, a coalition of the nine regional development organizations in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, met on June 25 in Berlin
The Cologne/Bonn Region Visits Bergisches RheinLand What regional cohesion can look like in practice was impressively demonstrated on Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the “Long
This idea forms the basis of the partnership agreement between the nine regional development and marketing organizations in NRW. Since early 2022, the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier GmbH has been a partner of the network. The Zukunftsagentur develops guiding principles, innovation strategies, and action plans for structural change, supporting projects from conception to implementation. It is now also part of the network and contributes to promoting effective collaboration.
For more information about the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier.
regionen.NRW
c/o Münsterland e.V.
am FMO Flughafen Münster/Osnabrück
Airportallee 1
48268 Greven
Sebastian Borgert
+49 (0)2571 / 94 93 – 50
Paulina Wittich
+49 (0)2571 / 94 93 – 35
For the cities of Remscheid, Solingen, and Wuppertal in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, structural development has been a shared responsibility since the Regionale 2006 initiative.
Snapshot of the region: Approximately 625,300 people live in this region with its long-established economic structure. The early use of hydropower for the production of highly specialized metal products was the foundation of the local economy. Over the centuries, businesses here have continually reinvented themselves. Hands-on entrepreneurship is part of the region’s DNA. A striking statistic: of the 800 automotive suppliers in North Rhine-Westphalia, 250 are located in the Bergisch city triangle alone.
The region is defined by the close proximity of urban areas and natural landscapes. Nestled within the city triangle is a hilly terrain with numerous watercourses—an inviting destination for outdoor tourists, well-connected by a network of developed hiking and cycling trails along former railway lines.
Three cities – one strategy: The Bergische Structure and Economic Development Corporation (BSW), supported by the cities, the local Chamber of Industry and Commerce (Bergische IHK), and regional savings banks, is developing a forward-looking strategy for the region. It initiates and coordinates regional projects and cooperation across the Bergisch city triangle.
BSW works on three core thematic areas within the regional context: economic development, structural transformation, and tourism. Regional strategies and high-value projects are developed by BSW and implemented through inter-municipal cooperation with partners from business and academia.
Key tasks include organizing support for the local business landscape, especially for the automotive supply and mechanical engineering sectors. BSW is also involved in the development of structural projects that focus on climate-friendly, multimodal mobility networks with supra-regional relevance, and on the implementation of urban production. Regional tourism strategies and projects are another essential aspect of BSW’s work. Labor market and employment promotion is also part of its mission: the Regional Agency for the Bergisch City Triangle operates under the umbrella of BSW.
In addition, BSW is involved in supra-regional political cooperation initiatives to strengthen development efforts and enhance the region’s visibility as a target area for funding and investment.
Stephan A. Vogelskamp
Bergische Struktur- und Wirtschaftsförderungs-
gesellschaft mbH
Stöcken 19
42651 Solingen
info@bergische-gesellschaft.de
www.bergisches-dreieck.de
Telefon: +49 212 881606 – 60
Telefax: +49 212 881606 – 66
The Düsseldorf – Mettmann District Region is a strong and vibrant economic area with a high quality of life and a multifaceted character: the Rhine metropolis and state capital Düsseldorf serves as the central hub with an international flair, while the Mettmann District acts as a strong regional partner, home to a large skilled workforce and offering a wide range of recreational and leisure opportunities across its ten member cities. What unites the region is a long history of collaboration and a network of diverse functional interconnections.
The region is home to more than one million residents. Over 70,000 people commute daily between Düsseldorf and the Mettmann District. Within a one-hour driving radius, 11.6 million people live and around 500,000 companies are located.
As a shared functional space with numerous points of connection and synergy, the Düsseldorf – Mettmann District region continuously works on further developing and institutionalizing regional cooperation. The region acts as a bridge between the Rhine corridor, the Bergisches Land, and the Ruhr Area, and is embedded in a dense network of regional partners.
The capital region is part of the Rhineland Metropolitan Region and ranks among the innovation engines of North Rhine-Westphalia. Companies in this innovation hub are top performers in patent intensity, technological networking, and product innovation. Centers of excellence in the region focus on life sciences and steel research. Additionally, it is considered one of the most important start-up hotspots in North Rhine-Westphalia. Within the state, stakeholders from the capital region are closely connected with academic institutions in the Rhine corridor, the Rhenish mining district, and the Ruhr Area.
Internationality is a hallmark of the region. It is home to numerous German and international corporations. Many multinational companies have established their European or German headquarters here. The region is also attractive to international professionals and executives—not only because of the many global companies but also thanks to its high quality of life. According to many international rankings, it is among the most popular destinations worldwide for expatriates.
The Düsseldorf – Mettmann District Regional Management is tasked with guiding and proactively shaping the development of the capital region within a complex network of actors and functional relationships. It serves as a navigator to ensure that individual stakeholders work together for the future of the region. Promoting innovation and supporting structural change are among its key areas of focus.
Dr. Kai Büter
Regionalmanagement
Düsseldorf – Kreis Mettmann
c/o Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf
Willi-Becker-Allee 6-8
40227 Düsseldorf
regionalmanagement@duesseldorf.de
www.regionalmanagement-d-me.de
+49 211 – 89 956 80
Innovative companies, diverse tourism, significant science, and inspiring culture – that is what the Münsterland stands for. Nearly 1.6 million people live across almost 6,000 square kilometers in the regional center of Münster as well as in the districts of Borken, Coesfeld, Steinfurt, and Warendorf.
The Münsterland is a dynamic economic region with a high quality of life, a wide range of industries, and numerous medium-sized companies both in urban and rural areas. Here, you can do everything well: work, live, and of course, enjoy life. The people of the Münsterland are full of drive and team spirit; they lead, develop, and shape the strong SME sector and family businesses. It is no coincidence that the Münsterland has had the lowest unemployment rate in North Rhine-Westphalia for years. Working together with network players and the scientific community, they contribute to the region’s high level of innovation, which is particularly strong thanks to regional expertise in areas such as digital solutions, health and bioanalytics, engineering services, and new materials. Companies have long since addressed the challenges of digitalization, changing value creation structures, and resource-efficient business practices, and they are looking ahead together to secure their position in the global market.
This is also why the Münsterland is a region with a future – its population is growing and is expected to remain stable according to forecasts. Because the region is also convincing beyond its economic strengths: with impressive castles and palaces, exciting towns and villages, and beautiful nature in a vast park landscape. Especially for cyclists, the predominantly flat terrain with its approximately 4,500-kilometer circular route network is a paradise. Horse enthusiasts also find a wealth of opportunities in the Münsterland, with more than 1,000 kilometers of riding trails. The vibrant cultural offerings – including museums, concerts, and events of international standing – further enhance the region’s attractiveness and quality of life. All of this together creates what the region and its slogan stand for: MÜNSTERLAND. THE GOOD LIFE.
Andreas Grotendorst
Münsterland e.V.
Airportallee 1
48268 Greven
info@muensterland.com
www.muensterland.com
Telefon: +49 25 71 94 93 – 12
Telefax: +49 25 71 94 93 – 83
The Lower Rhine region comprises the two cities of Krefeld and Mönchengladbach, as well as the four districts of Kleve, Viersen, Wesel, and the Rhein-Kreis Neuss. It borders the Ruhr area and the state capital Düsseldorf to the east, the Cologne/Bonn region and the Benelux triangle around Aachen to the south, and the Netherlands to the west.
More than two million people live here. Around 120,000 companies employ more than 690,000 people, producing goods and services worth approximately €66 billion annually. The gross value added reaches around €66,000 per employee.
The region’s economy is primarily industrial in nature. Key sectors include logistics, mechanical engineering, chemicals, energy, agribusiness, electrical engineering, and textiles and apparel, as well as tourism.
The backbone of the economic structure is formed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which are long-established family-owned businesses spanning generations. But scale also matters on the Lower Rhine: more than 20 of the 250 highest-revenue companies in North Rhine-Westphalia are based in the region, and numerous global corporations operate branches here.
Industry networks along value chains and strong links to a practice-oriented higher education landscape keep the engines of innovation running. One of many positive outcomes: companies here are creative, innovative, and competitive on the global market. The export ratio exceeds 50 percent, and goods from the Lower Rhine can be found on all five continents. In a sense, the Lower Rhine is everywhere.
But there is also plenty of opportunity close to home: within a 100-kilometre radius, 16 million consumers can be reached, and within a single truck-driving day, as much as 40 percent of the EU population is accessible.
Welcome to the Lower Rhine region!
Bertram Gaiser
gaiser@standort-niederrhein.de
www.standort-niederrhein.de
+49 2131 92 68 591
OstWestfalenLippe (OWL) is geographically identical to the northeastern administrative district of Detmold in North Rhine-Westphalia. More than two million people live in the six districts of Gütersloh, Herford, Höxter, Lippe, Minden-Lübbecke, and Paderborn, as well as in the independent city of Bielefeld.
The economic and cultural region surrounding the major cities of Bielefeld and Paderborn is characterized by a strong economy and a highly attractive cultural landscape. A well-balanced industry mix includes mechanical engineering, the furniture industry, metal processing and electrical engineering, the food industry, the textile and clothing industry, the healthcare sector, and the plastics processing industry. More than one million people are employed in approximately 150,000 companies. Well-established companies such as Bertelsmann, Dr. Oetker, Melitta, Miele, Claas, Schüco, Gerry Weber, and Wincor Nixdorf are rooted here.
Universities and universities of applied sciences provide important impetus for research and development in the region. Around 65,000 students from a wide range of disciplines are enrolled at 13 higher education institutions in OWL.
Numerous companies in the region have joined together in industry initiatives. Through the technology network it’s OWL – Intelligent Technical Systems OstWestfalenLippe, a cluster recognized by the German federal government, the region has established itself as a nationwide leader in implementing Industry 4.0 and has outstanding expertise in the field of intelligent technical systems.
Nestled around the Teutoburg Forest, OstWestfalenLippe also presents itself as an attractive destination for tourism and leisure. Known as “Germany’s healing garden,” it’s the ideal place for health, relaxation, and well-being.
OstWestfalenLippe GmbH is the regional development and marketing organization for OWL and one of the pioneers of regional promotion initiatives. As a joint effort by the districts and the independent city of Bielefeld, along with businesses and academic institutions in OWL, the company has been working for over 20 years to secure the region’s competitiveness in the global marketplace and to contribute to the future of its economic and cultural landscape. The OWL GmbH’s wide range of responsibilities includes regional marketing, regional development, the OWL cultural office, Teutoburg Forest tourism, the OWL regional agency, and the Competence Center for Women and Work in OWL.
In OWL, business and science join forces with politics and public administration — with the goal of achieving more together. In line with the region’s motto: “One region. One word.”
Björn Böker
OstWestfalenLippe GmbH
Walther-Rathenau-Straße 33 – 35
33602 Bielefeld
info@ostwestfalen-lippe.de
www.ostwestfalen-lippe.de
+49 521-9 67 33-0
The Aachen region is an alliance of the City of Aachen, the StädteRegion Aachen, and the districts of Düren, Euskirchen, and Heinsberg. Around 1.3 million people live here across 46 municipalities and cities, covering an area of approximately 3,500 km².
The Aachen region is a prosperous area shaped by a strong presence of small and medium-sized enterprises, located in the tri-border area of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. With its science- and engineering-focused universities RWTH Aachen and FH Aachen, the Jülich Research Centre, and many other research institutions, the Aachen region is an important hub for technology and knowledge. Surrounding the universities, a dense, technology-oriented corporate structure has emerged, accompanied by a vibrant start-up culture.
The Region Aachen Association of Local Authorities (RAZV) functions as the regional development agency, shaping regional, supraregional, and international networks and cooperation within the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. The association sees itself as an “impulse generator” for the strategic development of the Aachen region in cooperation between politics and public administration. Its experts develop strategies and concepts aimed at improving the region in economic, infrastructural, touristic, cultural, and social terms. The Aachen region is a partner of KlimaExpo.NRW and the Health Region Aachen.
Its direct location in the tri-border area of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands makes the region in the far west of North Rhine-Westphalia an international living and economic space. As a member of the cross-border alliance Euregio Meuse-Rhine, the region is closely linked with its neighbors in Belgium and the Netherlands. It also works closely with neighboring regions such as the Cologne/Bonn region, the Lower Rhine location, the Structural Change Agency of the Rhenish Mining Area (Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier), and the Rhineland Metropolitan Region.
Ulla Thönnissen
Region Aachen Zweckverband
Rotter Bruch 6
52068 Aachen
E-Mail: thoennissen@regionaachen.de
www.regionaachen.de
Telefon: +49 241 9278721-15
Telefax: +49 241 9278721-20
The Cologne/Bonn region is home to over 3.6 million people. It provides a foundation and fertile ground for services and industry. It is a cultural space and a modern production landscape. In this context, the region’s economic dynamism and its everyday livability are closely interconnected.
Among its major strengths are its appeal and attractiveness as a cultural and tourism destination, as well as a business and innovation region. Creativity and a thirst for knowledge form the fertile ground for the entire region.
The regional management operated by Region Köln/Bonn e.V. has long served as the platform for regional coordination and cooperation, and promotes communication between partners in the region and at the state, federal, and European levels.
Regional management means communication and cooperation. Since its founding in 1992, and particularly in the context of the Regionale 2010 structural program, regional stakeholders have come together in various constellations to move the region forward through projects, formats, and programs. The practical implementation of regional management is reflected in the association’s fields of work and working committees.
The association’s fields of work form the basis for the regional management of the Cologne/Bonn region. Through organized exchange within the committees, the foundations for regional cooperation are established, and strategies and projects are developed to address structural, societal, ecological, and economic challenges.
Region Köln/Bonn e.V. is an alliance of the independent cities of Cologne, Bonn, and Leverkusen, as well as the districts Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, Rhein-Erft-Kreis, Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Oberbergischer Kreis, and Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis. In addition to the eight regional authorities, members include the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts, the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Kreissparkasse Köln, Sparkasse KölnBonn, Sparkasse Leverkusen, the Rhineland Regional Council (Landschaftsverband Rheinland), and the DGB Region Cologne-Bonn. Guests such as the Cologne District Government, the Ahrweiler, Düren, and Euskirchen districts are also involved in the association’s decision-making and working committees.
Dr. Reimar Molitor
Region Köln/Bonn e.V.
Rheingasse 11
50676 Köln
bittner@region-koeln-bonn.de
www.region-koeln-bonn.de
Telefon: + 49 221 925477-21
Combining economy with sustainability: The Metropole Ruhr wants to set standards in ecological transformation and has set itself the goal of becoming the greenest industrial region in the world.
Even today, the Ruhr area is strong in innovations for the transformation: According to a 2021 study by the Wuppertal Institute, the Metropole Ruhr is, for example, a leader in geothermal energy and hydrogen technology, and therefore has good conditions for sustainable business.
In addition, 80,000 trainees and 260,000 students at a total of 22 universities and over 60 non-university research institutions form a pool of highly qualified professionals for the transformation of the region.
The industrial core is the basis of the transformation: With E.ON, RWE, ThyssenKrupp and Vonovia, four DAX-listed companies are among the 160,000 partly world-renowned companies and hidden champions of the region. Altogether, they employ around 320,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions.
Numerous start-ups are driving growth in future-oriented industries: According to the Ruhr Economic Report 2020, today there are more than 1,000 additional companies in the healthcare and energy sectors than in 2010.
Companies active in lead markets have particularly high numbers of employees: These include healthcare (353,000), urban living and construction (206,000), and mobility (185,000). In addition, revenue growth in the lead market of digital communication is at eleven percent.
The ambitious goal of becoming the “greenest industrial region in the world” is receiving a boost from the initiative “Green Infrastructure 2030”. With this initiative, the network of green and open spaces in the Ruhr area will be further expanded. Fittingly, the Metropole Ruhr will host the first decentralized International Garden Exhibition (IGA) in 2027, with a total investment volume of 84 million euros.
The Business Metropole Ruhr (BMR) acts as the contact partner for companies and investors, and publishes, among other things, the Ruhr Economic Report annually.
The subsidiary of the Regional Association Ruhr (RVR) develops and markets the region as a service provider and initiator for its four districts and eleven cities. In addition to regional economic development and regional location marketing, internationalization is one of BMR’s main tasks.
The RVR acts as planner, designer, and moderator, bringing the region together. Its Ruhr Parliament was elected directly by the citizens of the Ruhr area for the first time in 2020.
Markus Schlüter
Regionalverband Ruhr
Kronprinzenstraße 35
45128 Essen
schlueter@rvr.ruhr
www.rvr.ruhr
+49 201 2069-601
Around 1.4 million inhabitants, one of the most successful economic regions in Germany, and also the country’s “youngest” region – that’s South Westphalia. Only in 2007 did five districts join forces: Soest, Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein, the Märkischer Kreis, and the Hochsauerlandkreis. With its 59 cities and municipalities, South Westphalia is not just a deliberate union aiming for a visionary and action-driven future – it is also a true heavyweight: strong, beautiful, and authentic.
“South Westphalia – Everything Real!” is the region’s confident motto – and with good reason: more than 150 global market leaders are based here. In terms of the number of employees subject to social security contributions in the manufacturing sector, South Westphalia ranks as the third-strongest industrial region in Germany and the strongest in North Rhine-Westphalia! Key industries include the automotive sector, metal and mechanical engineering, building technology, and healthcare. A typical feature of the region: family-run, medium-sized businesses that uphold traditions and values, where a handshake still means something – and success has long been part of the family story.
The forested low mountain landscapes of the Sauerland and Siegerland-Wittgenstein are among the most popular tourist destinations in North Rhine-Westphalia. The region also offers ideal conditions for families, thanks in part to relatively low land and property prices. With the University of Siegen, the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, the Business School Siegen, the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, the University of Europe for Applied Sciences in Iserlohn, and several private universities, South Westphalia is also a strong and capable educational hub.
As a regional development agency, Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH unites the forces of business and politics to position the region competitively compared to other locations. Since 2012, together with its shareholders (the five districts and the association “Wirtschaft für Südwestfalen e.V.”), it has implemented regional marketing efforts. In the area of regional development, it works closely with the 59 cities and municipalities on forward-looking concepts for South Westphalia and carries out innovative projects. This is how South Westphalia was able to take advantage of the REGIONALE 2013 – with more than 42 innovative and pioneering projects implemented in the fields of urban development, nature and tourism, rural life, and the economy.
Currently underway is REGIONALE 2025, with all its projects reflecting the DNA of South Westphalia: digital, sustainable, and authentic.
Hubertus Winterberg
Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH
Martinstraße 15
57462 Olpe
buero@suedwestfalen.com
www.suedwestfalen.com
www.suedwestfalen-agentur.com
+49 2761 835110
