Innovation management

The "Innovation Challenge" is an interactive participatory format that is regularly held in municipalities within the Görlitz district. In a creative process, citizens, businesses, and local government jointly develop innovative solutions to local challenges. The event fosters dialogue between various stakeholders and generates concrete project ideas for regional development. By incorporating local expertise, tailored and implementable concepts are developed that contribute to strengthening the region. The "Innovation Challenge" is an important instrument for promoting citizen participation and innovation during periods of structural change.

The Lausitz Café is a regular series of events that addresses specific questions concerning development in the region. Using the "World Café" method, participants discuss various thematic approaches to solutions. The results are published promptly and followed up by the project managers of our task force. One example of the effectiveness of these events is the skilled worker campaign "You're Missing Here," which emerged from a Lausitz Café and was implemented in 2023/24.

Development of a concept with the mayors of the northern municipalities: The concept should examine the Lusatian coalfield (especially the northeastern area in the district of Görlitz) with regard to the effects of structural change and demographic change, as well as identify the interfaces of the individual village and urban development concepts.

The participating stakeholders aim to jointly develop a cross-border Hydrogen Valley along the German-Polish border of the Neisse River. The goal is to create a local ecosystem that promotes the development and use of hydrogen technologies. This will foster and expand economic growth, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability in the region.