The wider Maastricht region - Brightlands Limburg - is one of the 7 smartest regions in the world

The wider Maastricht region - Brightlands Limburg - is one of the 7 smartest regions in the world

The wider Maastricht region called Brightlands Limburg is among the seven most innovative regions in the world. The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) announced this during the Top 7 Communities of 2026 conference taking place in Maastricht earlier this year. Each year, the ICF selects seven innovative regions that are eligible to be named the world’s smartest region of the year. In October, the winner of the title “The Intelligent Community of the Year” will be announced in Ohio.

The other six regions nominated for “Smartest Region of the Year” are: Assai (Paraná, Brazil), Bursa Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), Hilliard (Ohio, USA), Kingston (Ontario, Canada), Las Rozas de Madrid (Spain), and Yunlin County (Taiwan).

A global example of the triple helix

The ICF recognizes Brightlands Limburg for its four interconnected Brightlands campuses, which have created one of Europe’s leading innovation ecosystems. Together, they drive breakthroughs in the circular economy, healthcare, artificial intelligence, smart services, and future-proof agriculture and food. Brightlands Limburg views the ICF as a global example of the triple helix in practice, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, companies, and government partners to translate innovation into economic growth and build a more sustainable future.