SMARAGD

from black
to green

A shared vision to develop the innovation ecosystem and transform the Moravian-Silesian Region into a SMARt And Green District.

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What is SMARAGD?

SMARAGD (SMARt And Green District) is a shared vision to transform the Moravian-Silesian Region into a smart and green region. It outlines a specific strategy for establishing a globally competitive innovation ecosystem that will foster the further development of the region. Linking partners from the public, commercial, and academic spheres, it offers solutions that benefit residents and businesses throughout the region.

SMARAGD's vision revolves around developing 'living labs' in areas crucial for ensuring long-term prosperity. Living labs provide an open platform for multifaceted collaboration between leading experts and scientists, students, companies, and public representatives. The complementary knowledge and experience of the partners involved will help find business opportunities and facilitate the transfer of R&D results into practice.

SMARAGD's flagship project

REFRESH Project

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Said about SMARAGD

Jan Dohnal

Mayor of Ostrava City

The REFRESH project was originally a joint effort of VSB-TUO, the University of Ostrava, and the City of Ostrava which we conceived as a flagship project within the Integrated Territorial Area Strategy of the Ostrava Metropolitan Area. It is clear that it has changed over time and became part of the overall SMARAGD concept. I have high hopes for the REFRESH project, I believe that it will provide tangible outputs from the fields of materials research, energy, and industry 4.0 and their effective implementation in specific production companies during both pilot and full operation.

Václav Snášel

Rector, VSB-TUO

We see the REFRESH project as an engine in the transformation of the region. We believe that students with high-quality technical education meeting the societal needs, along with the promotion of entrepreneurship, are vital for both the university and the region’s transformation. We are working on achieving these goals through the SMARAGD strategy in collaboration with the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre. As part of the project, we also aim to enhance the representation of companies on the university campus.

Pavel Csank

Chairman of the Board of the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre

We see the greatest benefits of SMARAGD in having a long-term shared vision with the major player in the innovation ecosystem. Founders of tech companies and their core employees are most often graduates of a technical university. This rule applies to the innovation ecosystem in all regions. At the same time, working together on this vision has allowed us to understand each other much better. We have opened up several new joint opportunities, with some already in progress.

Igor Ivan

Vice-Rector for Strategy and Cooperation, VSB-TUO

Our ambition is to bring new energy to the region with new opportunities, professionals, students, businesses, and technologies that address the current global challenges and shall ensure sustainable economic growth. SMARAGD and its flagship project, REFRESH, are grounded in creating the so-called ‘living labs‘. These connect all the segments mentioned above, foster many synergies, and facilitate collaboration across the application and academic spheres.