Reggio Emilia is located in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna Region. Its position in the prosperous Po Valley and the renewed tradition of food, cheese and wine products earned it the title of “Food Valley.” The city is one of the most privileged areas in Italy in terms of standard of living and local services.

The economic fabric of the city mainly comprises of craft industries and small and medium-sized enterprises. Besides the agri-food sector, its most important sectors are the mechanical/mechatronic industry, ceramics and clothing. The municipality’s main interests lay in local sustainable development and adaptation strategies to climate change, social innovation, intercultural dialogue and policies to support SME competitiveness and their internationalisation. 

The various local policies related to digital transformation that the municipality pursues can all be traced back to one main objective: to support the Reggio Emilia’s shift towards a knowledge-based economy, guaranteeing jobs and skills for its citizens and strengthening social cohesion within a more sustainable urban environment.

Reggio Emilia was a participant city in the DCC.