Government President Hands Over Funding Notices for “Arbeitgeberschmiede Südwestfalen PLUS – Global Connect” – Collaboration Between Universities, Economic Development Agencies, and Südwestfalen Agentur – Launch in January 2026
For the first time, numerous partners from South Westphalia are pooling their efforts to specifically attract and integrate international skilled workers for the region. The project “Arbeitgeberschmiede Südwestfalen PLUS – Global Connect” aims to establish the necessary structures, test digital approaches, and share knowledge within the region. Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to benefit in particular. Heinrich Böckelühr, Government President of the Arnsberg administrative district, handed over seven funding notices totaling 3.78 million euros to the project partners around Südwestfalen Agentur. The project can now commence at the beginning of 2026.
“Central to the project is the question of how companies can successfully attract and integrate international skilled and labor forces. Especially in times of significant transformational pressure, this represents both an opportunity and a challenge for businesses. South Westphalia is economically very strong. Many of the numerous medium-sized family businesses often do not have the capacity to strategically address international skilled workers,” emphasized Government President Heinrich Böckelühr. “The regional alliance of universities, economic development agencies, and Südwestfalen Agentur provides a holistic approach. This is important for our state because the work of the ‘NRW Fachkräfteagentur International’ requires strategic contact points in the regions,” added Böckelühr during the handover of the funding notices.
The participating partners include the University of Siegen, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, FernUniversität Hagen, agentur mark GmbH, wfg Wirtschaftsförderung Kreis Soest, and Südwestfalen Agentur. Each organization addresses a different aspect. They recognized that while there are isolated initiatives in South Westphalia for integrating and recruiting international skilled workers, there is neither a unified approach nor coordinated exchange of experience. This is where “Arbeitgeberschmiede Südwestfalen PLUS – Global Connect” comes in.
Building Networks, Using AI, Creating New Offers & Sharing Knowledge
Marie Ting, Head of Regional Marketing at Südwestfalen Agentur, welcomed the funding for this joint approach. “The cooperative approach in South Westphalia is a real plus for the region.” The agency’s role in the project is to connect regional actors, communicate joint activities, and pass on insights to companies in South Westphalia. “We focus on the needs of businesses and look at where gaps in services exist and how they can be closed,” said Saskia Haardt-Cerff, project manager of the ongoing funding project “Arbeitgeberschmiede Südwestfalen” at Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH. Marie Ting added: “Our goal must be for South Westphalia to be known nationwide as a region that is well-structured in supporting international skilled workers.”
With thousands of international students, the four participating universities possess valuable knowledge about regional needs and challenges. They also create new offerings—partly using artificial intelligence—and consolidate their research findings. Representing South Westphalia, Märkischer Kreis and Kreis Soest serve as experimental areas. There, solutions are tested and examined to determine how local and subregional support systems can function effectively.
South Westphalian Project Partners Already Collaborating
Almost all project partners are experienced in collaboration. In the currently ongoing funding project “Arbeitgeberschmiede Südwestfalen,” they already work together in a coordinated manner. Through practical offerings, small and medium-sized enterprises are supported in positioning themselves as attractive employers. During the project, the potential of international skilled workers became evident.
With its new project “Arbeitgeberschmiede Südwestfalen PLUS – Global Connect,” the South Westphalia region is not alone. A similar approach is being pursued in the Cologne/Bonn region. What Cologne tests in the metropolitan area, South Westphalia applies to the rural region. Both regions have agreed to maintain close exchange.
The project “Arbeitgeberschmiede Südwestfalen PLUS – Global Connect” is funded through the call “Regio.NRW – Transformation” with resources from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Award for Projects from Werl, Schalksmühle, Bad Berleburg, Attendorn, and Warstein – Funding Outlook for Additional Economic Projects to Follow
REGIONALE 2025 is heading into its final year – yet the awarding of projects continues unabated so that as many initiatives as possible can still be implemented and supported. In its most recent meeting, the REGIONALE Committee awarded five additional projects with the third star. A total of 14.7 million euros in funding from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU will flow into the region for these projects.
Among the newly awarded projects are a mobility initiative from Werl, a nature project at the Bigge, the transformation of a church into a cultural venue in Schalksmühle, a new neighborhood in Warstein, and an economic project from Bad Berleburg. Together, they represent various facets of the REGIONALE guiding theme of developing the region further in a digital, sustainable, and authentic way—addressing the challenges facing South Westphalia.
3rd Star: “8Giebel” (Schalksmühle / South Westphalia)
Currently, 35 projects are underway in REGIONALE 2025—either already being implemented or about to start. And more will follow. Nature and mobility projects are just as much a part of this as cultural, urban development, and educational projects. The host tours can be organized in the form of walks, bike tours, or similar activities. All hosts receive an attractive starter kit that equips them with suitable materials and tour inspirations to turn their event into a personal highlight. In addition, an exclusive event is planned for them on May 23.
Funding: The project will be supported, among other sources, by urban development funds of the State of NRW until 2028, with a total projected volume of around 9.8 million euros, of which 2.7 million euros have already been provided. An additional 725,000 euros will come from the “Third Places in NRW” funding program.
3rd Star: “waester wohnen warstein” (Warstein / South Westphalia)
With the project “www – waester wohnen warstein,” a forward-looking residential neighborhood is being created in the heart of Warstein’s city center. In addition to barrier-free apartments for different generations, a community area and a “Wästergarten” along the renaturalized Wäster stream will be developed. For this sustainably built neighborhood, the municipality is working closely with a local investor.
Funding: The total cost of the new residential quarter amounts to 5.38 million euros. Around 4.46 million euros come from the private investor and construction company for multi-generational housing, for which additional residential funding is planned in the future. The city contributes 277,000 euros. For the creation of the community center, the open-space design of the Wästergarten, and neighborhood management, approximately 643,000 euros in NRW urban development funding will flow through REGIONALE 2025.
3rd Star: “Sustainable Urban Mobility for the Pilgrimage City of Werl” (Werl / South Westphalia)
First the spa park and sports park, then the pedestrian zone – and soon, mobility. The pilgrimage city of Werl is working to further improve the quality of stay in its city center. The project “Sustainable Urban Mobility for the Pilgrimage City of Werl” was immediately awarded the third star by the responsible REGIONALE 2025 committee. The city plans to introduce a digital traffic guidance system to direct vehicles to available parking spaces. At the same time, the city center will be relieved of traffic and made safer for all road users. The project also serves as an example for the “Vibrant Town Centers” field of action within the South Westphalia mobility strategy.
Funding: The project is expected to receive approximately 1.39 million euros through the “Sustainable Urban Mobility for All” call, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
3rd Star: “COPP – Co-Pilot in Production: Human-Technology Collaboration in Automated Manufacturing” (Bad Berleburg / South Westphalia)
In production companies in South Westphalia, processes are becoming increasingly digital and automated—and thus technically more complex. This poses special challenges for operating personnel, who deal with various data sources and often need an understanding of IT processes. BIKAR METALLE GmbH from Bad Berleburg-Raumland, a specialist in cutting aluminum and non-ferrous metals, together with various partners, aims to develop an AI-based assistance system. It is intended to support employees and help minimize errors, thereby increasing overall competitiveness.
Funding: The project will receive 2.16 million euros through REGIONALE 2025 from ERDF funds and State of NRW funds via the “NEXT.IN.NRW” call.
3rd Star: Experiencing Biggesee in Real and Digital Form (Attendorn / South Westphalia)
With the project “Experience Biggesee Digitally and in Reality,” the Hanseatic city of Attendorn—part of the Sauerland Lakes cooperation—is implementing an initiative that links the region’s tourism, culture, and technology. The goal is to further develop Biggesee as a central living, leisure, and recreational space and to make it newly accessible to residents and visitors. The project consists of two components: a digital experience world using augmented reality to bring the history and nature of Biggesee to life, and a Nordic walking arena developed in collaboration with the German Sport University Cologne and the German Ski Association.
Funding: The project was selected in the State of NRW’s “Erlebnis.NRW” funding call and will receive up to 66,500 euros from the ERDF as well as state funds from the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs, the NRW Ministry of the Environment, and the NRW Ministry of Culture.
48 Projects Awarded in Total
Following the most recent meeting, 48 projects can now be implemented—and more are on the way. “Together with the project leads, we have succeeded in securing over 120 million euros in funding for the region—and, most importantly, using it wisely for projects that truly move our region forward,” said Dr. Stephanie Arens and Hubertus Winterberg of Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH, which oversees the REGIONALE 2025 process in South Westphalia.
In addition to the projects mentioned above, the REGIONALE Committee and later the ERDF evaluation committee also discussed further REGIONALE projects—particularly in the fields of higher education and business. These qualify for a special EU-funded program. The review process takes more time, and funding decisions will be made in coordination with the relevant ministries in the coming weeks.
An overview of all REGIONALE 2025 projects can be found at www.regionale-suedwestfalen.com.
REGIONALE 2025 is a structural program of the State of NRW. It is supported by urban development funding from the federal government and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
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.
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.
Over 5.6 million euros in funding for REGIONALE projects by the State of NRW and the EU – Nine projects awarded in total
Support for the care industry, 3D printing for hydrogen applications, and much more: Six further project ideas of REGIONALE 2025 in South Westphalia are to be implemented! They have a funding and financing perspective and were awarded the third star in the recent REGIONALE committee meeting. In total, up to 5.6 million euros in funding would thus flow to the project managers in South Westphalia. The money comes from federal funds, funds from the State of NRW, and calls for proposals from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the EU.
“We have reached the final third of REGIONALE 2025, and more and more projects can go into implementation after a lot of preparatory work. In total, there are now already 35 project ideas for the future of the region that not only exist on paper but are actually being realized,” said Eva Irrgang, District Administrator of the Soest district and current Chairwoman of the REGIONALE 2025 Committee. The committee awarded nine projects in total, six received the third star. No more is possible. These projects have a funding and financing perspective and will now gradually be implemented by those responsible. Once again, three projects owe their implementation to a special call for proposals: the projects “Digital and Sustainable Development Perspectives for the Care Industry,” “3D-4-H2,” and “Knowledge in Action (WiAk).” According to a recommendation from the ERDF evaluation committee, they will be funded together to an expected amount of over 4.38 million euros. The funding comes from the specific call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a digital, sustainable and authentic future in South Westphalia,” composed of funds from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the EU.
3rd Star: “3D-4-H2” (Lüdenscheid / South Westphalia)
South Westphalia is to be strengthened as a location for the production and use of green hydrogen as an energy carrier. The Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid is working on this in the REGIONALE 2025 project “3D-4-H2.” The South Westphalian research institute intends to use the 3D printing process to manufacture components for hydrogen applications. On the one hand, the strong and often energy-intensive economy in South Westphalia is to benefit. But manufacturers of plastic products could also open up new markets. Specifically, the project aims to use 3D printing to manufacture plastic components that can be used for fuel cells and electrolysis cells. This includes both the development of 3D printable materials and the creation of a special 3D printing process for the most efficient and cost-effective production possible.
Funding: The project “3D-4-H2” is to be funded with 1.92 million euros from funds of the State NRW and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a digital, sustainable and authentic future in South Westphalia.”
3rd Star: “Knowledge in Action (WiAk)” (Meschede / South Westphalia)
It is generally known that companies lack skilled workers. At the same time, older employees retire. They then take expertise with them that companies miss. The project “Knowledge in Action (WiAk)” of the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences aims to use digital tools to secure and pass on the knowledge of skilled workers. In collaboration with employees, apps and augmented reality are to be used so that they specifically help companies: humanly, organizationally, technically. The insights from the project should be transferable to other companies in South Westphalia.
Funding: The project “Knowledge in Action” is expected to receive 1.7 million euros in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia via the call “REGIONALE South Westphalia – Projects for a digital, sustainable and authentic future in South Westphalia.”
3rd Star: “Digital and Sustainable Development Perspectives for the Care Industry in South Westphalia” (Soest District / South Westphalia)
The Wirtschaftsförderung Kreis Soest GmbH wants to support care providers in South Westphalia on the path to a digitalized and innovative future. For this purpose, it plans to implement several modules as examples for South Westphalia within the project “Digital and Sustainable Development Perspectives for the Care Industry in South Westphalia.” As part of “Transformation Scouting,” for example, companies will be supported and accompanied individually with a focus on their own challenges. Employees will be qualified so that they can pass on their knowledge within their own company as so-called transformation pilots. In addition, several innovation locations are planned, adapted to the rural region of South Westphalia, where employees of the care industry and interested parties can practically try out the technology of tomorrow. The exchange between companies and universities is also to be promoted more strongly.
Funding: The project “Digital and Sustainable Development Perspectives for the Care Industry in South Westphalia” of REGIONALE 2025 is to be funded with over 738,000 euros from funds of the State NRW and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via 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 amounting to 1.9 billion euros from the ERDF/JTF NRW 2021-2027 program of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF) are available. Added to this are co-financing from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the projects’ own contributions. Projects in the fields of innovation, sustainability, SME support, quality of life, mobility, and structural change in coal phase-out regions are supported.
In addition, three more projects are moving into implementation. They receive their funding from other sources.
3rd Star: “Car-Free Alter Flecken” (Freudenberg / South Westphalia)
Narrow alleys, historic backdrop, many cars. This currently characterizes the Alter Flecken in Freudenberg. With the project “Car-Free Alter Flecken,” the city wants to create more living and recreational quality for residents, visitors, and local gastronomy: It has developed 16 measures to increase the living and residential quality in the historic old town, improve the climate and the townscape, and optimize inner-city traffic. Private cars are to give way, and parking spaces are to be converted into so-called “pocket parks.” Such parks are small green spaces that can be used as gardens, playgrounds, or seating areas in greenery. How this can work was already tested together with citizens in a multi-week model trial. The developed concept also envisages a neighborhood garage for private cars near Alter Flecken. To move to and within Alter Flecken, various environmentally friendly mobility options are to be used. Increased use of bicycles, e-bikes, and bike- and car-sharing options is planned. Not least due to its award as a model project in the state competition “Mobil.NRW – Mobility in Livable Cities,” the Freudenberg project has lighthouse character.
Funding: The city receives a total of around 751,000 euros from several funding pots – via the funding guideline “Networked Mobility and Mobility Management” of the NRW Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport (MUNV) and the state program Future Downtown of the NRW Ministry of Home, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitization (MHKBD).
3rd Star: “Kreativ.Quartier.Wippermann” (Halver / “Up on the Volme”)
Think yard, culture yard, workshop yard, gastronomy, living and education hub: On the centrally located Wippermann site in Halver, a new hub for modern living, working, and living is emerging. The redesign of the old commercial area is already in full swing. The “Kreativ.Quartier.Wippermann” is one of the lighthouse projects from the inter-municipal cooperation of the cities and municipalities “Up on the Volme.” Established structures such as the workshop yard, where old furniture and electrical appliances are checked, repaired, and refurbished, as well as the Stage-Hall as an event venue, remain on the Wippermann site. With the redesign of the outdoor area into a culture yard, the quality of stay is to be increased, and covered outdoor events made possible, among other things. The EWH GmbH, a private investor, has already begun converting the office building into a think yard. Equipped with digital and modern workplaces, training and meeting rooms, coworking will be possible here, and the local economy will have a new contact and networking point from mid-2025. Planned in the future are also a gastronomic offer, an extracurricular learning location for young people, and a small hotel.
Funding: For the design of the culture yard, the city of Halver receives 250,000 euros from the funding program for structural and village development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
3rd Star: Dorf.Connect (Hochsauerlandkreis / South Westphalia)
There are over 900 villages in South Westphalia with strong and grown village communities. How they can network better digitally is addressed by a joint project of eight South Westphalian LEADER regions. The project builds on the successful predecessor project “We are digital.Village!” With “Dorf.Connect,” a further development of the village platform with additional modules is being created. At the same time, even more village communities are to be won for use. The goal: Various actors within a village use the same combination of village website and village app to network with each other and thus strengthen communication and community in the village in the digital space. Within the framework of REGIONALE 2025, the village platform is now to be expanded and further developed under the name “Dorf.Connect.” The aim is to equip even more villages and thus achieve an even greater regional impact. In addition, ideas and needs from the participating villages are to be picked up and the platform further expanded with new modules.
Funding: The project is financed from already approved LEADER funding of several LEADER regions totaling around 250,000 euros. The LEADER regions’ own contribution amounts to around 107,000 euros.
In total, 35 projects have thus already been awarded the third star. This means the region has come a big step closer to its goal “50 for 25,” i.e., to implement fifty projects by the end of REGIONALE 2025.
For three other project proposals, progress was also made in the process. The redevelopment of an industrial brownfield into a residential quarter in Kreuztal was awarded the second star in the recent meeting, as was the project “NaturTalenteLippe,” and “Green Factory” is a new project in the process that could become a flagship project of REGIONALE 2025.
2nd Star: “Wood. Steel. Digital” (Kreuztal)
The city of Kreuztal is continuing to work diligently on the planning and implementation of a special quarter as part of REGIONALE 2025. For this, the city wants to rebuild and reuse a disused industrial site resource-efficiently. Numerous differently sized residential units and plenty of space for modern working and living together across all generations are to be created. In total, over 100 residential units in different sizes for various generations, office space, and co-working options are planned in the quarter. The historic barrel roof hall is to be preserved as a striking building and repurposed prospectively as a multifunctional venue for cultural, leisure, and seminar events. Before the multifaceted project can be implemented, further planning steps are necessary. By early 2026, the legal foundation for residential construction and the realization of the project on the former Bender site should be laid.
2nd Star: “NaturTalenteLippe” (Lippstadt / Lippetal)
Between the municipalities of Lippetal and Lippstadt lies the Lippe floodplains, a unique natural landscape. Through various measures of the REGIONALE 2025 project “NaturTalenteLippe,” the two municipalities, together with further project partners, want to make this natural space better and barrier-free accessible to visitors and citizens – both analog and digital. At the same time, nature conservation plays a major role in the project. Specifically, the municipalities plan, for example, the construction of a floodplain experience tower, but also observation huts, rest areas, and the modernization of signage for bike and hiking trails along the Lippe floodplains, as well as the creation of new accesses to the river. The centerpiece of the digital measures is the planned “Lippe app.” Through this, existing information about the natural area can be made digitally and barrier-free available. In the future, augmented reality elements can also be used via the app to experience natural processes.
1st Star: “Green Factory” (Kreuztal / South Westphalia)
More circular economy in the strong industry of South Westphalia: For the extensive and ambitious project “Green Factory,” SDFS Smarte Demonstrationsfabrik Siegen GmbH based in Kreuztal wants to work together with eight chairs and institutes of the University of Siegen and the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences as well as numerous companies. They want to show how old industrial buildings can be sustainably upgraded and circular production in the metal and plastic sector can function. For this, a historic factory hall in need of renovation on the premises of the company Achenbach Buschhütten is to be prototypically upgraded and a production set up that processes metal and plastic resource-efficiently and in a circular manner. Should a funding perspective arise in the coming months, “Green Factory” could become a flagship project of REGIONALE 2025.
The project managers are supported by Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH. It coordinates and supervises REGIONALE 2025 in the region and, together with project managers and partners such as the Arnsberg district government, looks for funding options. So far, over 70 million euros in funding have been brought to South Westphalia for REGIONALE 2025 projects.
An overview of all REGIONALE 2025 projects can be found by interested parties at www.regionale-suedwestfalen.com.
REGIONALE 2025 is a structural program of the State of NRW. It is supported by funds from the federal urban development funding and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
South Westphalia is perceived as a digitally smart rural region: This is a conclusion that Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH can draw from numerous conversations following the three-day Smart Country Convention in Berlin. Once again, the agency traveled to the capital with numerous examples from the REGIONALE 2025 and the model project “Smart Cities: 5 for South Westphalia” to illustrate the special quality of regional cooperation. Many actors from the region – such as from Arnsberg, Bad Berleburg, Menden, Iserlohn, Olpe, and Soest – also came to Berlin and strengthened “Team South Westphalia.”
The Smart Country Convention is considered the leading congress and trade fair for the future of digital administration and intelligent urban and rural development. It brings together tech providers and startups, as well as ministries, cities, and regions like South Westphalia.
Federal Minister Cem Özdemir visited the South Westphalia stand in Hall 25 and learned about how and on what municipalities in the region collaborate with each other, including through the model project “Smart Cities: 5 for South Westphalia.” “The trade fair is continuing to grow, just like the perception of the region. The way we work together in the region is highly valued,” said Hubertus Winterberg and Dr. Stephanie Arens of Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH. What this South Westphalian approach looks like was presented by Smart City Project Manager Katharina Hogrebe during the supporting program at the Ministry for Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and together with her colleague David Bohlen at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
Part of the program: Two panel discussions at the South Westphalia stand
Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH also organized two panel discussions as part of the stand’s program. On the first day of the fair, interested attendees heard from Bernd Fuhrmann (Mayor of Bad Berleburg) and Dr. Roland Schröder (Mayor of Menden) about how well the division of labor works in the Smart Cities model project and how municipalities in the region can replicate successful projects. Examples mentioned included sensor technology to detect potential flooding early or intelligent lighting of crosswalks to increase pedestrian safety. Renate Mitterhuber, Head of the Smart City Department at the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building, praised the region for its chosen path during the discussion and encouraged the stakeholders to continue along this track.
The second panel discussion focused on South Westphalia’s economy. Representatives from four companies demonstrated where their products and technologies are used in everyday life. Participating were representatives from Gonicus GmbH in Arnsberg, Bechtle AG with locations in Siegen and Meschede, eks Engel FOS GmbH & Co. KG in Wenden, and SpotAR from Soest. Outside the panel discussions, there were also numerous conversations with people interested in the South Westphalia region and its collaborative approach.
The South Westphalian evening in Berlin has become a regular fixture away from the hustle and bustle of the trade fair. This time, nearly 60 people who are committed to or interested in the region came together to exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere over food and drinks. The “get-together” will continue next year as well. Then, South Westphalia will once again present itself at the Smart Country Convention from September 30 to October 2, 2025.
REGIONALE 2025 is a structural program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is supported with funds from the urban development programs of the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Excursions, Workshops, Personal Discussions, Special Recognition of 14 REGIONALE 2025 Projects and More — 250 Participants as Guests
The Südwestfalen Forum is a meeting place for all stakeholders from politics, business, and organizations who are committed to the region and implement forward-looking projects. The Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH invited participants together with its six shareholders: the five districts of Südwestfalen as well as the association “Wirtschaft für Südwestfalen” (Economy for Südwestfalen) with its over 400 member companies. About 250 participants came to the conference and congress center in Bad Sassendorf. They once again demonstrated how creative, appreciative, and trusting the cooperation in Südwestfalen is — and built on this to discuss the direction the region will take starting in 2027. That is when current structural and funding programs, through which Südwestfalen is currently implementing, for example, urban development, digital education, and economic projects, will come to an end.
What will cooperation look like on key issues after 2027? How can Südwestfalen be and remain a smart region? How do we shape towns and villages? What does the region’s strong economy need? Which projects align with Südwestfalen’s mobility strategy? Which organizations will be needed for this?
These topics were discussed in workshops lasting just under an hour as part of the forum. The participants’ suggestions will be incorporated into the process to strategically align the region for 2027 in the coming year. A podcast episode was recorded for each workshop. Those interested in insights can listen free of charge on the Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH website.
14 REGIONALE 2025 Projects Recognized — Excursions Provided Insights
The forum once again made it clear that a lot is happening in Südwestfalen. As many as 14 projects of REGIONALE 2025 have received funding since the Südwestfalen Festival one year ago and can now be implemented. The project managers were specially honored on stage, as they are the ones driving projects that shape the future of the region. In four excursions, interested parties had the opportunity to get to know some forward-looking initiatives in the Soest district: the Southern Old Town Quarter in Lippstadt, the Digital Care Center in Bad Sassendorf, the Nature Talents Lippe project in the Lippe floodplains, the Soest Smart City urban lab, and the planned Digital Learning and Working Center Soest (Dilas).
The forum also included the general meeting of the association “Wirtschaft für Südwestfalen.” The association is the largest shareholder of Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH and significantly supports regional marketing. More than 400 companies are now members. Johannes Huxol, board member of the innovative lighting solutions provider TRILUX from Arnsberg, was elected as the new chairman. At the same time, the so-called “Duck Race” was launched. Like a relay baton, the “duck” — a Südwestfalen logo to take with you shaped like a duck — travels from member company to member company. The goal: to strengthen networking among companies.
That representatives from companies come together at the forum with actors from municipalities, city and community councils, tourism, universities, politics, chambers, associations, and clubs shows how large and diverse the “Team Südwestfalen” has become. In this respect, the keynote by Marcus Merheim from hooman EMPLOYER MARKETING had exactly the right title: “Cooperation Matters.”
“The cooperative spirit characterizes Südwestfalen,” emphasized Eva Irrgang, district administrator of Soest and current chairwoman of the supervisory board of Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH, at the start of the forum. Already over 60 million euros in funding have been secured for Südwestfalen as part of REGIONALE 2025. In view of the many challenges for municipalities and companies, the future work in Südwestfalen is clear: “It only works together.”
Podcasts and photo galleries from the Südwestfalen Forum 2024 can be found here: www.suedwestfalen-agentur.com/forum24