Innovative Location

In rural areas and outside of agglomeration centers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide enough adequate jobs. Skilled employees leave, which leads to a further weakening of rural areas. The municipalities Bruck/Mur, Fürstenfeld, Gleisdorf, Hartberg, Jesenice, Kapfenberg, Kidricevo, Kranj, Leoben, Mürzzuschlag, Ormoz, Ptuj, Radovljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Trzic and Weiz as well as the regions Gorenjske, Obersteiermark, Oststeiermark and Podravje are particularly affected and therefor aim for a cooperation to find a joint solution. Companies as well as specialists and skilled employees prefer locations with the most benefits for them.

The main tasks of the location management are the creation of ideal conditions for the expanding of existing companies on the one hand, and the attraction of new companies on the other hand. Furthermore, the location management has to attract businesses and specialists, who invest in those rural municipalities and regions. Hence, location management is one of the most important services of a municipality. In many cities support in establishing and further developing of a professional location management services is required.

Innovative Location will combine the existing experiences and knowledge in a transnational collaboration of the project region, to develop a standardized handbook/compendium which provides standardized tools for a professional location management. The municipalities involved in the project will gain the required expertise as well as develop strategies and implement exemplary measures in a joint “location academy”. To guarantee the sustainability of the project, besides the collaboration of the municipalities, an involvement of business-minded citizens will be initiated. Information events and workshops will ensure that the bilateral cooperation will be supported by the public in an active way.