Increasing Regional Value Creation Means Strengthening Monetary, Social, and Environmental Value
Increasing regional value creation means more than just boosting sales of goods and services. Alongside financial benefits, regional value creation also includes social and ecological value. To strengthen it, resources from the region—meaning the municipality or local community—are used.
Strengthening Regional Value Creation Through Climate Action
There are many ways to strengthen regional value creation, and climate protection measures are particularly well suited for this. They allow monetary, social, and ecological value to be enhanced simultaneously. Suitable areas of municipal climate action include investment in renewable energy as well as energy efficiency and building renovation measures. But increasing the sales of regional products and services also contributes significantly.
To increase regional value creation efficiently, it helps to take a closer look at value creation stages and value creation effects. The stages refer to the different phases of implementation—the more of these phases that take place within the region, the greater the economic benefit. There are always three main effects: municipal tax revenue, business profits, and income generated through employment.Of course, it is not always possible to immediately launch large-scale projects. Quick wins are also worth considering, such as better marketing of regional services and products. Some regions with large budgets have successfully built brands that attract tourists. For individual municipalities, this approach is often difficult to achieve—but there are other options. Apps like the Klima-Taler app make it easy for municipalities to support local businesses and service providers, boosting demand for regional goods and services and thereby strengthening regional value creation.
Strengthening Local Commerce With the Klima-Taler App
The Klima-Taler app motivates residents to engage in climate-friendly behavior in a fun and playful way. It can also be used very effectively for smaller, quickly implementable measures to increase regional value creation. On the app’s marketplace, so-called “Climate Partners” can offer their products and services to support local economic growth. Anyone can become a Climate Partner: bakeries, bookstores, wine shops, the local swimming pool, or even community clubs. Anyone who wants to participate receives a platform visible to all app users—including those outside the region. Businesses can post offers free of charge and attract customers directly to their stores. Users redeem their collected Klima-Taler, for example, to receive small discounts on purchases.
For retailers, it is completely free to present themselves as Climate Partners in the app. They benefit from advertising value that in 2025 was already equivalent to $330,000.
Success Stories and Examples of Increasing Regional Value Creation
Many cities and municipalities have successfully increased their regional value creation. The village of Feldheim in Brandenburg is the most well-known example of 100% local energy supply from wind, solar, and biogas. Working together, the municipality, residents, and energy companies built and now operate their own local heating and electricity networks. This energy self-sufficient village now benefits from electricity that is 40–50% cheaper and generates substantial income from its energy projects. A dedicated energy competence center also attracts numerous visitors from Germany and abroad.
Another success story is the LEADER region “Hohe Heide,” which shows how inter-municipal cooperation can contribute to sustainable rural development. By specifically supporting citizen-driven projects in tourism, culture, and agriculture, new regional offerings and jobs are created. The goal is to use existing local potential and strengthen regional value creation by ensuring that investment, income, and community engagement remain in the region. Incidentally, the Klima-Taler has also been funded by the EU LEADER program. We have summarized several opportunities for municipal climate protection funds in a separate text.
A further success example that can be applied to almost any region is promoting walking and cycling. As early as 2019, an EU study calculated that each kilometer traveled by car creates external costs of €0.11, while cycling and walking generate benefits of €0.18 and €0.37 per kilometer, respectively. Users of the Klima-Taler app can see exactly how many kilometers of cycling and walking have been completed in their city or municipality—and easily calculate their growing contribution to increase regional value creation.
Consulting Services to Strengthen Regional Value Creation
There are consulting firms specializing in helping municipalities increase regional value creation. When selecting a partner, it is important to consider their primary focus. Relevant areas include economic or location development, industrial or cluster promotion, innovation, or sustainable regional development and climate protection strategies. Providers that combine value creation goals with sustainability strategies are particularly valuable when municipalities aim for a holistic approach that equally emphasizes monetary, social, and ecological benefits.
The Most Important Points for Strengthening Regional Value Creation at a Glance
Municipalities can strengthen regional value creation through measures that simultaneously enhance financial, social, and environmental value. Climate protection projects such as renewable energy expansion, energy efficiency improvements, and building renovation offer major opportunities. Marketing regional products and services also ensures that income, profits, and tax revenues remain local. The Klima-Taler app helps cities motivate residents to act in climate-friendly ways while supporting local businesses. Success stories like Feldheim, the LEADER region Hohe Heide, and initiatives promoting walking and cycling clearly show how this can work in practice.
If you’d like to strengthen regional value creation in your municipality with Klima-Taler, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help:
