Emsland, November 4, 2025 – The regionen.NRW network visited the Emsland on a two-day excursion to gain practical insights into successful strategies for regional development, economic promotion, and urban planning. The trip included the executive teams of North Rhine-Westphalia’s regional development organizations as well as the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier.
Emsland as an Example of Successful Transformation
The Emsland is regarded as a model for forward-looking, economically strong, and livable regional development. The excursion focused on current transformation processes – in particular, the shift from a nuclear energy region to an energy and hydrogen hub. In addition to energy policy, topics such as securing skilled labor, sustainable mobility, and innovative urban development were highlighted.
During the visit to Meppen, Lingen, Geeste, and Papenburg, the regionen.NRW network explored economic development, strategies for regional promotion, revitalization of city centers, and cultural and educational initiatives. Central to the program were discussions with regional decision-makers from administration, business, culture, and civil society.
Insights into Lingen: Urban Development and Future Projects
A highlight of the excursion was the exchange with Lingen’s Mayor, Dieter Krone, who guided the guests through the city and presented current urban development projects. He showcased innovative hydrogen and IT initiatives at the former Lingen nuclear power plant, as well as measures to enhance local quality of life and attract skilled workers – for example, through cultural offerings at the Emsland Arena or the new Osnabrück University campus.
The trip concluded with a discussion with Dr. Dirk Lüerßen, CEO of Ems-Achse, an alliance of companies, municipalities, educational institutions, chambers, and associations. He outlined measures and strategies planned through the cooperation of business, administration, and academia, including new concepts for promoting mobility.
Largest Single Funding to Date for “Green Factory” – Topics Including Inclusion, Circular Economy, and Digital Healthcare – Funding for REGIONALE Projects by the State of NRW and the EU through the EFRE/JTF NRW Program
Strong support for companies and employees in South Westphalia: As part of the nationally unique structural program REGIONALE, there is good news for five additional project initiatives from South Westphalia. They can soon be implemented. Up to 27 million euros in funding from the EFRE/JTF NRW 2021–2027 program is available. The money comes from the State of NRW and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the EU.
“The newly awarded projects give REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia a real boost. What stands out is the cooperation between industry and academia. Their projects aim to support the people in the region, strengthen the business location for the long term, and develop exemplary solutions that can be transferred elsewhere,” said Dr. Karl Schneider, District Administrator of Hochsauerlandkreis, in his last meeting as chairman of the REGIONALE 2025 committee. Five projects received the third star from the committee, meaning they have regional backing and a clear funding and financing perspective.
The total amount for all five projects is impressive. Over 27 million euros from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the EU are available, based on the recommendation of the ERDF evaluation committee for the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a Digital, Sustainable, and Authentic Future in South Westphalia.”
Third Star: “Green Factory” (Kreuztal / South Westphalia)
With the “Green Factory,” South Westphalia is gaining a flagship project for the circular economy and a hub for the industry of the future. Seven chairs and institutes from the University of Siegen and RWTH Aachen, the Smart Demonstration Factory at Campus Buschhütten, the start-up Smart Plastify, and numerous companies aim to demonstrate how industrial buildings can be sustainably upgraded and circular production with high-quality metals and plastics can work. The focus is on avoiding production waste, reintroducing it into the production cycle, using renewable raw materials where possible, and employing state-of-the-art technologies for component repair. What is to be implemented exemplarily in Kreuztal under sustainability aspects is supported by many companies from all five districts. It is expected to receive the largest single funding of REGIONALE 2025.
Funding: The “Green Factory” project of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia is expected to receive €22.4 million in funding from the State of NRW and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a Digital, Sustainable, and Authentic Future in South Westphalia.”
Third Star: “SelfDiag” (Olpe / South Westphalia)
At the “Digital Specialist & Health Center Spieren” (DFGZ) in Olpe, new ways are being tested to improve medical care in rural areas. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), patients will gradually be enabled to perform routine exams, such as an ECG, independently. The “SelfDiag” project—which stands for “self-diagnosis”—aims to establish the necessary digital standards, design an AI avatar (a virtual figure), and test both using the example of an ECG in the Olpe practice. This avatar is intended to speak as naturally as possible, explain each step to patients, provide instructions, and help alleviate fears. The goal is to use digital innovation to relieve medical personnel during routine exams, shorten waiting times, and improve healthcare provision.
Funding: The “SelfDiag” project of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia is expected to receive approximately €725,000 in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of NRW through the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a Digital, Sustainable, and Authentic Future in South Westphalia.”
Third Star: “Competence and Knowledge Building for the Integration of People with Disabilities in the Workplace (KoWIMA)” (South Westphalia)
The University of Siegen aims to make the future world of work in South Westphalia more inclusive and barrier-free with its project “KoWIMA.” Digital assistance systems offer a great opportunity to support both companies and employees. So-called KoWIMA scouts gather knowledge from theory and practice, derive key insights, and share them with interested parties. The project aims to ensure that people with disabilities and employees returning after accidents or illness are more naturally included in the workforce, while also enabling companies to create barrier-free workplaces and thus retain and attract skilled workers.
Funding: The “KoWIMA” project of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia is expected to receive approximately €1.012 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of NRW through the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a Digital, Sustainable, and Authentic Future in South Westphalia.”
Third Star: “MARS – Modeling Labor Market Shifts in South Westphalia” (Siegen / South Westphalia)
“MARS” investigates how the labor market in South Westphalia can be designed to be resilient, sustainable, and future-proof. The project by the University of Siegen and TU Chemnitz is supported by companies, institutions, and associations from the region. While the approach sounds theoretical, it has practical benefits for South Westphalia’s economy. Using modern network research methods, data is collected to understand how people, companies, and institutions collaborate and influence each other. From this, digital models will show how the labor market will evolve, considering real challenges companies face. Additionally, digital tools, personalized recommendations, and workshops will be developed to support companies, associations, and decision-makers from politics and society.
Funding: The “MARS” project of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia is expected to receive approximately €1.42 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of NRW through the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a Digital, Sustainable, and Authentic Future in South Westphalia.”
Third Star: “RESILIENZWERK SWF” (Lüdenscheid / South Westphalia)
The core idea of the “RESILIENZWERK” project by Entwicklungs- und GründerCentrum Lüdenscheid GmbH (EGC) and the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences is to familiarize employers with topics like “Employer Branding” and “New Work,” making them more attractive to skilled workers and more resilient in their organizations. Previously called “Innovation Factory,” the project specifically targets small and medium-sized enterprises in South Westphalia, which often lack the time and personnel to address employer marketing and new work concepts. These topics are increasingly important for attracting skilled workers. In the “RESILIENZWERK” project, companies, universities, and start-ups come together to learn from each other and benefit from mutual exchange. Scientific expertise is combined with practical experience to create a network that especially benefits small and medium-sized companies in South Westphalia.
Funding: The “RESILIENZWERK SWF” project of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia is expected to receive approximately €1.603 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of NRW through the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a Digital, Sustainable, and Authentic Future in South Westphalia.”
For forward-looking, sustainable, and innovative projects in North Rhine-Westphalia, EU funds totaling €1.9 billion from the EFRE/JTF NRW 2021–2027 program are available, coming from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF). This is supplemented by co-financing from the State of NRW and project own contributions. Projects in innovation, sustainability, SME promotion, quality of life, mobility, structural change in coal phase-out regions, strategic technologies, and competitiveness are supported.
43 REGIONALE 2025 Projects in South Westphalia Already Awarded the Third Star
In early June, nature and cultural projects from South Westphalia were already awarded the third star. In total, there are now 43 projects. “We are one big step closer to our goal ‘50 for 25’—to bring fifty projects to implementation by the end of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia. This gives us momentum in the presentation year of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia, which has just started and in which the region showcases the excellent solutions it has developed,” said Dr. Stephanie Arens and Hubertus Winterberg from Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH. The agency coordinates and supports REGIONALE 2025 in the region and works with project leaders and partners such as the Arnsberg Regional Government to find funding options. So far, about €100 million in funding has been secured for REGIONALE 2025 projects in South Westphalia.
An overview of all REGIONALE 2025 projects can be found here.
What course is Europe setting for the future of its structural policy and regional funding? How can competitiveness, innovation and cohesion in the regions be further strengthened? These and other key questions were the focus of an intensive exchange between the regionen.NRW network and representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament in Brussels on 2 July.
Among those taking part in the discussions was Dr Stefan Berger, Member of the European Parliament and spokesperson for the CDU NRW in the European Parliament. With regard to the decisions that need to be taken in the EU, he explained: “In view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and a changing transatlantic partnership, the EU is facing enormous challenges. This also has implications for the future EU budget and structural policy. This makes it all the more important to take the perspectives of the regions into account – they know best how geopolitical upheavals and political decisions have a concrete impact on local life and economic development and what is needed in each case to promote equal living conditions and innovation.”
The exchange took place as part of a visit programme in Brussels, which also included talks with the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). The aim was to incorporate the perspectives of the regions in North Rhine-Westphalia into the discussions on future EU funding policy at an early stage. Another focus was on strengthening the role of regional development organisations as intermediaries between the European and local levels.
The day concluded with the NRW Summer Party hosted by the NRW State Representation in Brussels, where around 1,500 guests from politics, business, science and the media exchanged ideas.
On July 7, 2025, the large-scale art installation “ECHO” at the Aggertalsperre was officially inaugurated as part of the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand. More than 50 guests from politics, administration, and the community attended the event.
The spectacular installation by the internationally renowned artist collective Boa Mistura from Madrid addresses the REGIONALE future theme “Everything is a Resource!” With its creative concept, it connects the elements of water, forest, stone, and grass in a new, sensually perceptible way. On the water side of the dam, the word “ECHO” was installed — but only half of it: the reflection in the water completes the word and makes it readable. This creates a fascinating interplay between art and landscape that changes regularly depending on the water level and sunlight.
“We were fascinated by the power of the landscape and especially the water in Bergisches RheinLand, which inspired ‘ECHO.’ It is a living artwork that connects with nature and is emotionally perceptible. ‘ECHO’ makes a statement, serves as a resonance space, and creates an echo. We are very proud to be part of such a relevant and important program like REGIONALE, which aligns perfectly with our vision to create something we have never done before,” emphasized Pablo Ferreiro Mederos from Boa Mistura.
A strong statement for sustainable resource management
Jochen Hagt, District Administrator of Oberbergischer Kreis and Chair of the Steering Committee of REGIONALE 2025, underlined the importance of “ECHO” in light of current environmental challenges and praised the collaborative efforts of all involved: “Especially in times when issues like climate change and resource management seem to be pushed into the political background, we are sending a signal here in Bergisches RheinLand,” said Hagt. “‘ECHO’ works on several levels: it reflects the element of water, creates resonance within the landscape — and ideally also with the viewer,” the District Administrator hopes.
The dam wall of the Aggertalsperre serves as the canvas for the artwork. Dr. Uwe Moshage, Board Member of the Agger Association, also expressed enthusiasm for the artwork and is pleased that the Aggertalsperre was chosen as the site for “ECHO.” “As an association, we depend on careful management of the landscape — so a temporary installation that artistically centers our resources is absolutely fitting,” said Moshage.
The letters of “ECHO” are up to 34 meters wide and 6.5 meters high. In total, the lettering stretches over 137 meters along the dam wall. The installation was executed by proud to print GmbH using a special foil technique applied to a dam wall for the first time in Germany. The foil is completely removable — dismantling is scheduled for spring 2026.
A REGIONALE thrives on making unusual things possible. “With the artwork ‘ECHO,’ we are staging the Aggertalsperre in a spectacular way. We want people in the region to develop their own connections with the term,” said Dr. Reimar Molitor, Managing Director of the REGIONALE 2025 Agency. REGIONALE 2025 invites people to engage with the topic of resource use amid an impressive landscape.
The opening was musically accompanied by jazz musicians Julian and Roman Wasserfuhr from Hückeswagen. With excerpts from their album “ECHOES – Sound of Home,” composed especially for REGIONALE 2025, they created an acoustic reflection of the visual artwork.
More information about ECHO at: www.regionale2025.de/echo
The alliance regionen.NRW, a coalition of the nine regional development organizations in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, met on June 25 in Berlin with around 20 members of the Bundestag from NRW for a political exchange. The goal was to highlight key regional policy concerns and bring them into the political discourse. The focus was on topics such as the design of future EU cohesion policy, the reform of the joint task “Improvement of Regional Economic Structures” (GRW), and current funding strategies for infrastructure development in structurally diverse regions.
After a brief introduction of the alliance, an intensive expert discussion took place. The aim was to bring concrete impulses from regional practice into ongoing political reform processes at the federal and EU levels. Representatives of the alliance advocated, among other things, for funding eligibility across all regions and for the consistent implementation of the partnership principle.
Ms. Anne König, Member of the Bundestag, thanked the group for the practical perspective: “Strong regions are the backbone of a sustainable Federal Republic. The exchange with the alliance regionen.NRW demonstrates how important close cooperation between politics and regional stakeholders is for strengthening mutual understanding, further developing funding policies in a practical and targeted manner, and securing sustainable development perspectives across all parts of the country.”
In the evening, the alliance also presented itself at the NRW Summer Festival at the State Representation with its own stand featuring regional specialties. Around 1,500 guests from politics, business, science, and media attended the event.
The Cologne/Bonn Region Visits Bergisches RheinLand
What regional cohesion can look like in practice was impressively demonstrated on Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the “Long Day of the Region” in Gummersbach. Just in time for the official start of summer, around 500 guests from across the Cologne/Bonn region gathered under sunny skies and summer temperatures at Halle 32 on the former Steinmüller industrial site. Together, they discussed current challenges and potential for regional development.
Organized by Region Köln/Bonn e.V., this year’s “Long Day”—held annually on June 21 and rotating through different parts of the region—was hosted in close cooperation with the Oberberg district, the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand initiative, the city of Gummersbach, VfL Gummersbach, and the local savings banks of Oberberg, who also brought along their impressive Sparkassen truck to provide activities for both children and adults.
The day began with a diverse excursion program, which this year focused not only on the Agglomeration Program of the Cologne/Bonn region but especially on the state-funded structural development program REGIONALE 2025. Ten thematic tours led participants through the Oberberg district, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district, and the eastern Rhein-Sieg district. Policymakers, administrators, academics, and business representatives were given exclusive insights into model projects and innovative sites of regional development.
Participants experienced firsthand the REGIONALE’s focus areas—such as repurposing and innovation, circular economy, mobility, civic engagement, culture, and recreation—through inspiring examples: in Hückeswagen, the historic castle is being transformed into an inclusive “Castle for All”; in Lindlar, circular and resource-efficient construction methods are pioneering sustainable urban development. The regional business community also presented itself as forward-looking and innovative—with companies like bicycle tire manufacturer Schwalbe, ALHO Systembau GmbH, and ABUS Crane Systems showcasing sustainable and technological responses to current challenges.
Another key focus was civic engagement, which the state program is specifically designed to promote—highlighted by initiatives like the bioenergy village Lieberhausen, the Genuss-Werkstatt, and the Dorfservice Oberberg, all of which show how people are actively shaping a “good life” in the Bergisches RheinLand.
The long-term and positive effects of REGIONALE initiatives were also evident through completed projects from REGIONALE 2010, such as Schloss Homburg, the revitalized Ohler Wiesen in Wipperfürth, and the transformation of the Steinmüller site in Gummersbach.
This year’s venue for the regional networking event stands as a model of successful project implementation: the 18-hectare area in the heart of Gummersbach has been transformed into a vibrant city district featuring jobs and high quality of life. The former industrial wasteland has become a driver of economic, scientific, recreational, and service development far beyond the city and district—thanks to strategic planning, wise investments, bold political decisions, and substantial private investment. In his welcome speech, Gummersbach’s mayor Frank Helmenstein emphasized the catalytic power of initial funding paired with sound planning.
In addition to a large shopping center, the area is now home to the Gummersbach campus of TH Köln, global IT and engineering service provider FERCHAU, the REGIONALE 2025 project “Innovation Hub Bergisches RheinLand” serving as a networking and innovation hub between science and business, and the Halle 32 event space. The site also hosts the Schwalbe Arena, home to the VfL Gummersbach handball team.
Jochen Hagt, District Administrator of the Oberberg district and Chair of the Steering Committee for REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand, emphasized the enormous significance of the model projects showcased annually during the “Long Day of the Region.” Their success, he stressed, is largely thanks to the continued support from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the commitment of regional actors—from politicians and public administrators to engaged citizens. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation beyond district borders, which is expected to continue beyond the program’s timeline. Ongoing collaboration within Region Köln/Bonn e.V. ensures this continuity.
The powerful impact that emerges from strategic support, solidarity, and community engagement was also underlined by Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs, and Media in North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery:
“What I particularly appreciate about the REGIONALE as a structural program: it’s not a top-down, state-mandated initiative—it is a program by and with a region. It thrives on participation, local expertise, engaged municipalities, creative changemakers, and, most importantly, citizens willing to take responsibility.” This, he said, is not something to be taken for granted—but it is the true recipe for success. At a time when polarization and fragmentation are increasing, the Cologne/Bonn region shows what is possible through collaboration—“across district boundaries, legislative terms, and party lines.”
The region’s strong spirit of cooperation was also reflected in the formal transition of the chair of Region Köln/Bonn e.V. After two successful years, Cologne’s Mayor Henriette Reker symbolically passed the baton to Sebastian Schuster, District Administrator of the Rhein-Sieg district, who will now lead the association for the next two years.
Following the official reception, guests continued their conversations about the region’s future in the Steinmüller site’s city park, enjoying the beautiful summer weather.
38 projects across a wide range of thematic areas are already being implemented, with around 100 million euros in funding successfully secured for the region. With this positive interim result, the South Westphalia region is launching the presentation year of the NRW structural program REGIONALE 2025. This year, South Westphalia will showcase the innovative solutions it has developed for the region’s future. The official launch event took place at the Sauerland Museum in Arnsberg. The event was organized by Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH, which is responsible for the REGIONALE 2025. Among the approximately 300 participants were many project leaders and guests from politics, business, education – and as a special guest: North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President Hendrik Wüst.
“REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia stands as an exemplary model of modern structural policy, successfully combining innovation, sustainability, and regional identity,” said NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst during the launch. “In one of North Rhine-Westphalia’s most industrial regions, more than 100 project ideas have been developed and many are already being implemented. South Westphalia demonstrates impressively how digitalization, smart location development, and strong local cooperation can lead to real future prospects – and how people from municipalities, businesses, academia, and politics can come together to make a difference. As a state government, we support this commitment wholeheartedly – because it sets strong impulses for sustainable regional development and brings people together to actively shape the future.”
The presentation year of REGIONALE 2025 is themed “Roots & Visions – strong roots, clear visions.”
Fittingly, attendees could stroll through a “Forest of Projects” and engage directly with project leads – or use their smartphones to access a virtual map of South Westphalia and learn more about REGIONALE 2025 projects and the model project “Smart Cities: 5 for South Westphalia.” The augmented reality map will be expanded over the coming months, and the trees from the project forest will be planted throughout the presentation year.
“The REGIONALE 2025 projects are many individual pieces of a puzzle that together strengthen the South Westphalia region,” explained Hubertus Winterberg and Dr. Stephanie Arens of Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH. During the event, they took the audience on a “discovery tour” and presented several projects through short video features. The wide range of initiatives spans urban development, new nature and cultural experiences, digital education projects, and efforts to strengthen the economic base of the region.
Preparing South Westphalia for digital transformation
During a panel discussion with District President Heinrich Böckelühr, two REGIONALE 2025 projects were presented that focus on equipping people in the region with digital knowledge. In Soest, the Digital Learning and Work Center (DiLAS) is being developed as a place where businesses and citizens can meet, exchange ideas, and engage with digitalization. Andreas Kurth from Digitalium Wittgenstein gGmbH outlined how municipalities and leading local companies in Wittgenstein are collaborating with banks, associations, and churches in two projects to support digital literacy – through a training center and a city bus converted into a mobile digital lab.
South Westphalia stands for strong cooperation
The sustainability of collaboration between various stakeholders in South Westphalia – and how REGIONALE 2025 has further strengthened this cohesion – was highlighted throughout the launch event. Dr. Karl Schneider, District Administrator of Hochsauerlandkreis and current chair of the REGIONALE Committee, emphasized this in his speech:
“Our cooperation and mutual support stem from a shared cause: we value our region, we’re deeply rooted here, and we are committed to its success.”
What the REGIONALE 2025 presentation year offers
The launch event kicks off a year full of events and initiatives – from mid-2025 to September 2026. Planned are both physical and digital formats, including informational sessions, expert conferences, workshops, and excursions. These are aimed at residents of the region as well as representatives from politics, business, and municipalities. A special feature for the public: residents of South Westphalia can actively take part as REGIONALE hosts, organizing individual tours to project sites.
South Westphalia will also be visible outside the region – for instance, at summer receptions of the NRW state representations in Brussels and Berlin or at trade fairs such as the Smart Country Convention and the Polis Convention. In June, the podcast “Roots & Visions – The Podcast on the Future of South Westphalia” will launch.
More information on the presentation year and upcoming events and formats can be found at:
www.regionale-suedwestfalen.com/praesentationsjahr
REGIONALE 2025 is a structural development program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is supported through funding from the Federal and State Urban Development Programs.
Sunny Weather, Great Venue and Around 1,000 International Participants: REGIONALE Congress 2025 Showcases Sustainable Development of Existing Structures
By hosting this year’s IDRF Members’ Meeting, Mönchengladbach Airport (MGL) once again served as the venue for a significant industry event in the aviation sector. On May 13 and 14, 2025, the Members’ Meeting of the Association of Regional Airfields (IDRF) took place in the Hugo Junkers Hangar. For the first time, the event was held jointly with the German Helicopter Association (DHV), which convened simultaneously. The two-day event focused on exchanging views on current challenges in air transport and new perspectives in air mobility.
Numerous representatives from regional airports across Germany used the meeting to discuss operational, infrastructural, and regulatory topics. The role of airports in the context of climate protection, digitalization, and innovative mobility was also a key topic of intensive discussion.
“Regional airports are an indispensable part of Germany’s air transport system. They ensure accessibility, create jobs, and are increasingly becoming hubs of innovation for new mobility solutions. The IDRF provides an important platform to jointly further develop this role,” said Andreas Ungar, Managing Director of Mönchengladbach Airport.
With the Hugo Junkers Hangar, MGL offers an exceptional event location that is increasingly establishing itself as a popular venue for specialist conferences and networking meetings. “Being able to host the IDRF meeting together with the DHV on site underscores the growing importance of the airport as a place for exchange, progress, and future topics in aviation,” added Dr. Ulrich Schückhaus, also Managing Director of Mönchengladbach Airport.
Press contact:
Sevde Katran
Phone: +49 (0) 2161 6898-91
Email: sevde.katran@mgl.de
Extreme weather events, water shortages, and rising temperatures demand global adaptation strategies. At the nationwide first Resilience Expo, innovative solutions and business models that mitigate the effects of climate change will be showcased for the first time on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Zeughaus Neuss. Companies and investors will have the opportunity to present forward-looking developments, open up new markets, and network.
The Resilience Expo brings together companies, science, interest groups, specialist authorities, and politics — from the Rhenish mining area, North Rhine-Westphalia, across Germany, and internationally. The goal is to jointly establish a long-term cross-border networking platform for the climate adaptation economy.
Environment Minister Oliver Krischer emphasizes the importance of the new Resilience Expo:
“With the Resilience Expo, we are sending a strong signal in North Rhine-Westphalia for climate-just transformation. The Expo unites business, science, and politics in a versatile format and clearly demonstrates the opportunities inherent in resilient technologies and sustainable business models. We are creating a platform that pools forces, presents the growing range of effective solutions, and makes North Rhine-Westphalia internationally visible as a model region for resilient transformation.”
The Resilience Expo links regional innovations from North Rhine-Westphalia with international developments. Existing initiatives are to be bundled, synergies utilized, and international exchange strengthened.
In addition to the classic exhibition, the Resilience Expo offers a variety of opportunities for networking through workshops and discussion formats. The aim is not only to present concepts and products but also to actively discuss and further develop them in the long term.
The Expo will be funded by the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia over the next three years. As an international exhibition, it strengthens the location of North Rhine-Westphalia and contributes to the economic and structural transformation of the Rhenish mining area.
To make participation as attractive as possible, the event is free of charge for companies and other interested parties from research, interest groups, administration, or politics. This is especially intended to facilitate access for small and medium-sized enterprises to present their ideas and establish contacts.
Companies interested in participating in this or future Resilience Expos can continuously register their interest at exhibit@resilience-expo.com. Further information about the Resilience Expo as well as registration and newsletter sign-up can be found at www.resilience-expo.com.
Background
The Resilience Expo is a flagship project of the state government within the framework of structural change in the Rhenish mining area. The federal government and the state are supporting the sustainable transformation of the Rhenish mining area in the course of the coal phase-out with more than 14.8 billion euros. The state complements the federal funding with its own budget funds. So far, 317 projects with a funding volume of around 2.2 billion euros have been approved.