Eight projects for structural change in eastern Germany are to receive around 1.4 million euros in funding from the Federal Ministry of Economics. As announced by the Central German Metropolitan Region, three of the approved projects fall under the funding priority of digitalization, two under the circular economy and three under the open-topic area.
Strong demand for innovation funding
The aim is to actively shape and promote structural change in the lignite regions. According to the information provided, 73 projects related to structural change have been supported and funded since 2017.
The European Metropolitan Region of Central Germany is an association of companies, cities, districts, chambers and associations that promote regional development and structural change.
"This year's call for funding shows once again that the demand for low-threshold business support for innovation projects in the Central German mining area remains high," said Pia Castell, project manager of the federal model project "Unternehmen Revier".
Broad spectrum of funded projects
The approved projects have a total volume of around 2.1 million euros. They include a project in Altenburger Land in Thuringia, which is developing soil radar devices with automatic analysis to make soil testing more efficient. In Leipzig, projects on climate-friendly concrete, AI-supported business planning and 3D sound worlds for the blind are being funded.
In Saxony-Anhalt, a competence center for dog sports in Zeitz, telemedicine solutions for rural regions and projects on plastic recycling in Leuna and regional tourism in Stolberg in the southern Harz region are being developed.
Last round for funding program starts in March
The last major ideas competition for the funding program is due to start in March. Companies, company networks and associations from the region can apply for funding until May 6.
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