“WIR! – Change Through Innovation in the Region,” a program of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), aims to foster sustainable, innovation-driven structural change. The funding program is aimed at broad-based regional alliances comprising companies, universities, research institutions, and civil society organizations. Together, these stakeholders aim to transcend the boundaries of industries and disciplines and develop new conceptual approaches.

The first funding phase focuses on developing sustainable strategies for a region, which will then serve as the basis for drafting the project proposal.

Out of more than 100 proposals submitted, 32 initiatives were selected. Among them is the alliance consisting of the HSZG, the Fraunhofer IWU’s Upper Lusatia Plastics Center, the company ULT AG Kittlitz, and the district of Görlitz . Another 30 partners have already signaled their strong interest in collaboration via a letter of intent.

On April 1, the first implementation phase will begin under the leadership of the HSZG. The goals are to be refined through numerous events, workshops, and networking meetings. An overarching strategy for the region’s development will be developed, taking into account all areas of economic and civic life.
How can we make our region, Lausitz, more attractive? What technological and social innovations can help revitalize the economy, enable skilled workers to discover interesting career opportunities, and at the same time provide families with an attractive living environment? The alliance’s partners will seek answers to these questions, develop tools, and test new approaches. The focus is on dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders from business, civil society, and government in order to draw on their experiences and needs.

In this regard, the “Lausitz – Life and Technology” alliance is starting with a good head start—because previous projects and the partners’ ongoing collaboration to date have already examined which technologies hold particular promise for the future and can drive further economic development in Lausitz. Framework conditions relevant to civil society and the workplace were examined. Based on these results and drawing on insights from the planned workshops and working meetings, the alliance partners will develop their strategy.

Further information on the funding program:
https://www.unternehmen-region.de/de/32-wir-buendnisse-ausgewaehlt-2173.html