An exciting political experiment is currently taking place in a region that is phasing out coal in Germany, largely unnoticed by the general public: the strategic development of a small, rural peripheral region through exceptionally high investment in research, development and science. Approximately six billion euro of public funding has been approved for the Lusatia region in the state of Brandenburg for investment in universities, non-university research facilities and a science park by 2038. Such a sum is unique in Europe and inevitably raises the question: is this money well spent? Time will tell whether the Lusatia region will become a blueprint for science-driven structural change. The chances, however, look good.
© 2025 Gunther Markwardt, Mirko Titze, Stefan Zundel, published by ZBW – Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft
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