In addition to the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz (TRAWOS Institute, Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Nadine Jukschat), the project involves the University of Siegen (Principal Investigator Dr. Franz Eckhard) and Neo.NET e.V. as project partners.
Within the research consortium, the opportunities as well as the enabling and constraining conditions of different forms of innovation in structurally weak regions were investigated through two contrasting ethnographic case studies in Lusatia. Particular attention was given to social innovations.
In a first phase, guided by the principle of “Exploring Lifeworlds,” the research examined how local actors perceive the disruptions and challenges facing their region, particularly in light of previous experiences of structural transformation, and how they understand their own role in processes of innovation and change. Building on these findings, a second phase, “Shaping Change”, involved the co-development and experimental implementation of social innovation formats together with local practice partners. These formats were designed to make the possibilities for actively shaping structural transformation tangible and experienceable. In the final phase, “Securing Sustainability”, the focus was on ensuring the long-term continuation of the tested formats within the region and on developing transferable procedural knowledge. This knowledge is intended to support the promotion of sustainable innovations in structurally weak regions beyond the specific case studies examined in the project.
Following three intensive years of research in Lusatia, key findings and the conclusions derived from them have been prepared and presented in a visual format. Through a detailed analysis of the case study locations, the project developed a comprehensive understanding of local conditions and dynamics. This knowledge provided the foundation for the design and pilot implementation of innovative formats tailored to the regional context. These formats make an important contribution to understanding processes of social change in structurally weak regions.
The collaborative project BePart is funded for a period of three years by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the funding line “REGION.innovativ. Researching regional factors for innovation and change – strengthening societal capacity for innovation.”
