Practical solutions

On March 1, 2024, the Innova.GEIST research project was launched under the leadership of the TRAWOS Institute at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) in collaboration with AQVA Synergy GmbH. The project aims to link technological and social innovations to identify new paths for sustainable transformation in Lusatia. Innova.GEIST is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the Lusatian alliance“Lausitz-Life & Technology.”

Transformation in Interaction with Societal Needs

Lausitz is facing a fundamental transformation as the phase-out of the lignite industry alters jobs and structures. As part of Innova.GEIST, researchers are investigating how technological innovations—using sustainable energy supply as an example—can be reinforced by social innovations to gain long-term acceptance and involve social networks. The focus is on how technological innovations can be conceived and implemented not in isolation, but in close interaction with the needs of society.

The project pursues a transdisciplinary, problem-oriented research approach that focuses on collaboration between academia and practice. Through close cooperation between the TRAWOS Institute and AQVA Synergy GmbH, theoretical insights are directly linked to practical experience.

Expanding the Concept of Innovation

“Innovations for sustainable energy supply face a tension between opportunities and concerns in Lausitz. A key question here is: How can we successfully transition from a region reliant on fossil fuels to one dedicated to sustainable energy? The new structures are not yet visible. I’m particularly interested in how we can successfully implement sustainable innovation and help shape Lausitz as a model region. What role do social factors play in this? I am very curious to see what proposals will emerge from this joint research project,” says Christoph Steffan, Managing Director of AQVA Synergy GmbH and case partner at Innova.GEIST.

Dr. Julia Gabler, scientific project manager of Innova.GEIST, adds: “From a scientific perspective, the central aim of the interdisciplinary Innova.GEIST project is to broaden the concept of innovation. Social innovations refer to societal innovations and generate success factors that could potentially be applied to technological innovation processes. The collaborative research approach enables us, together with practice partners such as AQVA Synergy, to develop new perspectives and focus on the relevance, social acceptance, and practical application of innovations. Furthermore, we aim to highlight the mechanisms behind the success of social innovation in the region. We hope that our project will help positively influence the region’s innovation regimes and shape sustainable solutions for structural change.”

Linear vs. Cyclical Concepts of Innovation

The project will run until the end of 2025 and includes the following research priorities:

1. Development of heuristics for technological and social innovation spaces

2. Comparative analysis of these spaces

3. Documentation of innovation narratives from various actors

4. Examination of linear versus cyclical concepts of innovation

A particular focus is on examining the differences between linear and cyclical innovation concepts, based on the hypothesis that social innovations more frequently incorporate cyclical elements.

Goal: Practical solutions for innovators

The goal is to develop practical solutions for innovators that make it possible to tangibly integrate technological innovation into the social system of a region undergoing structural change, such as Lausitz. Concrete outcomes are expected to include a “toolbox” for inclusive innovation strategies as well as a sustainable business model that can serve as a model for the region.

The Innova.GEIST project promises to deliver important insights for shaping structural change in Lausitz and could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges.

In addition to Dr. Julia Gabler and Christoph Steffan, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Sylvia Ganer at AQVA and Anja Mutschler (M.A.) at TRAWOS are also working on the Innova.GEIST project.