Monday was a special day for our Structural Development Task Force, our STARK team. The Saxon Ministry for Regional Development invited us, along with 25 other STARK-funded project sponsors from Saxony's structural change regions, to the Knappenrode energy factory.

We were able to present our work, as well as other project sponsors funded by the federal STARK program, to a large audience and the press. We were joined by over 100 structural developers from science, research, the social sector, business and ministries to draw the first STARK assessment after almost three years. The Saxon State Minister for Regional Development, Thomas Schmidt and Dr. Raphael XX from the Ministry of Climate Change and Jörg Huntemann, Commissioner for Structural Change ... sat in the front row.

In addition to investments, the federal STARK program also supports other projects that strengthen the dynamics of transformation and a common understanding of the future. Initiatives for knowledge and technology transfer, citizen participation and economic development are supported, as is the important work of municipalities in the lignite mining areas. In the Lusatian region alone, a total of 72 million euros were approved for 50 different projects.

Plans for a sustainable future from Bautzen to Zittau, from the areas of cultural projects to pioneering research, were presented in 26 short presentations. It's not just in our district that financial support for structural change enables people in the region to implement their ideas and initiatives. We are working together on future-proof jobs, attractive cities and communities, good and safe care, improved mobility and unique research, which can also serve as a basis for new settlements.

Under the motto "Diverse ideas for structural change in the Lusatian region: New impulses for the region", our task force took the opportunity to first explain approach Heike then spoke about the projects we have managed so far and the funding applications we have supported (due to the sheer number "only") as numbers, data and facts. When our team leader presented our project data - on stage, in front of full rows of chairs - the audience was visibly amazed at the numbers by which we can measure our success.

After three years, we can look back on over 900 consultations, 237 supported project ideas and 59 implemented citizen participation formats. Specifically, this means that we have been able to implement a support format in 85 percent of the municipalities in the Görlitz district and have so far applied for or are still applying for 149.6 million euros for funding projects. Last but not least, we were able to contribute to creating or maintaining 307 jobs in the Görlitz district. Immediately after the presentation, Heike was surrounded by journalists because everyone wanted to know our secret recipe and our plans for the future. As soon as the interviews are online, we will link them here in the UBL blog and on LinkedIn (we would be happy if you follow us there for daily news from our team and the region!).

Our trip to Knappenrode was a complete success. And we are pleased to be able to participate together with many illustrious project sponsors (and much more) in the visible, tangible and measurable upswing of a beautiful region in the heart of Europe. The Saxon Ministry for Regional Development also gave a positive assessment - also about our work:

"The structural change in Saxony's lignite mining areas is in full swing. A large number of projects are being implemented and show that something is happening here! The funds from the structural change help people in their region to implement ideas and initiatives. What we are working on together: Future-proof jobs, attractive cities and communities, good and safe supplies, improved mobility and unique research - also as a basis for new settlements."

Do you also have an idea of ​​how we could make our homeland a little more modern, better and more beautiful - or tell us what is missing where you are or what you would like to make our priceless country a little more suitable for your grandchildren. We look forward to receiving your letters!

Best regards -

Your STARK team

The project sponsors include (some of them our partners in many projects) the Knappenrode energy factory, the Fraunhofer IWU, the TU Dresden, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the Chemnitz University of Technology, the Verkehrsverbund Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien GmbH, the city of Hoyerswerda, the utility companies Hoyerswerda GmbH, the Lausitzer Seenland Sachsen Association, the Bautzen district, the municipality of Großschönau and the DGB