Promoting the circular economy: innovation potential and challenges in the Düsseldorf – Mettmann district region The Düsseldorf – Mettmann district region is characterized by outstanding innovation potential in various fields of technology.
A recent workshop on “Promoting innovation in the region – potential in the circular economy” emphasized the need for optimized cooperation between companies, universities and public administrations.
The event, organized in cooperation with the Düsseldorf – Mettmann District Regional Management and the Association for the Promotion of the Wissensregion Düsseldorf, took place at the Haus der Universität in Düsseldorf and marked the start of further dialogues and working groups on regional innovation. The discussion, which was attended by around 20 participants from various sectors, focused on regional activities within the framework of EU funding programs for research and innovation, in particular Horizon Europe and its predecessor Horizon 2020.
Representatives from the project management organization of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) presented detailed evaluations of EU funding approvals, which led to a focused discussion on grants to the region.
The DLR emphasized the region’s good participation in EU research programmes, in particular the outstanding role of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.
Four EU projects with a total funding volume of EUR 2 million are currently active in the circular economy, mainly in the areas of recycling, waste management and materials.
However, it was pointed out that many relevant topics are tagged differently in EU research programs, which requires further discussion.
Particular attention was paid to the considerable administrative effort involved in applying for and accounting for EU funding.
It was emphasized here that a targeted link with country-specific structural funds could increase efficiency.
The discussion concluded with considerations on how the topic of the circular economy can be better addressed by regional players in order to tap into new funding potential.
Overall, a need for action was identified in the area of research and structural funding.
The regional management, in cooperation with Wissensregion Düsseldorf and the regionen.nrw association, aims to promote cooperation and measures in order to further develop the innovation location.
Future program designs should take greater account of the position of the NRW regions in order to make better use of regional innovation potential.
Only through more intensive transfer initiatives and improved framework conditions can the region continue to grow as a location for innovation.