Innovationsregion Lausitz GmbH (iRL) is an agency established to represent regional commercial enterprises and university research institutes. It was founded in response to the German Federal Government’s climate policy decision to shut down two 500 MW units at the Jänschwalde Power Station in 2018/2019. The iRL team develops ideas and strategies that are enabling Lusatia to meet this structural challenge. It assists affected businesses by identifying new commercial opportunities while guiding economic growth and development in the Lusatian two-state region.
Fields of action
Analysis and common assessments
We continually analyse existing prerequisites in Lusatia together with partners from the fields of theoretical science and applied research. The first point of contact involves intensive exchanges with Lusatian businesses. A second focal point includes the evaluation of experiences gathered in other regions. In result, a systematic understanding of the processes of radical change is emerging from the ongoing assessment of conditions and prospects. We provide this knowledge and the practical business experiences they represent to all who wish either to benefit from them or to provide assistance in turning emerging challenges into future opportunities for Lusatia.
Entrepreneurial answers
Developing new products and launching new services on the market are highly qualified activities involving circumspect preparation and continuing dedication to maintaining vitality and resiliency. To this end, we support experienced as well as emerging entrepreneurs with state-of-the-art methods and application workshops embedded in a strong regional network. In result, new capabilities are being constantly developed that will improve the overall competitiveness of Lusatia.
Dialogue and communication
Innovation thrives on cooperation. Dialogue and new forms of communication offer the opportunity of exchanging views on issues of importance for the future, especially in times of change. The decline of lignite-based electricity generation in Lusatia means the loss of traditional jobs. As a consequence, new fields of employment must be created. iRL is providing meeting places by organising contact opportunities, regular ‘Business Talks’, and ‘Innovation Interactive’ events that promote dialogues on shared initiatives and joint creative ventures.
Our vision
Our vision
Lignite mining for energy production has been one of the remaining key industries in the region since German reunification in 1990. More recent politically announced lignite phase-out intentions constitute existential threats for many people. Our vision is to transform this challenge into an opportunity. We are creating viable prospects for the region to regain control of its destiny. This emerging new economy is developing commercial activities with growth potential in cooperation with iRL and participating universities. We provide businesses in the region with specific support for enhancing their future growth and development. At the same time, we work towards motivating regional stakeholders to combine efforts in putting pressure on the government in demanding the creation of reliable economic policies and infrastructure requirements for a successful structural change. In that case, we see a good chance of Lusatia developing new specialized economic activities over time that in the long run will supersede today’s still dominant role of lignite.
Our mission
Our mission
Together with our partners, we are transforming the challenge of structural change into an opportunity. We provide modern organizational techniques for the development of strategies, products, and business models for growth. Our success is based on making our partners strong, supporting the continuing growth of businesses, fostering cooperation in the region, and making entrepreneurship come alive for all Lusatians as a fascinating endeavour with confident protection against risk. The special contribution of iRL in interacting with other stakeholders in the region encompasses its responsive dedication, the consequential focus on entrepreneurial growth, and networking with senior-level experts both from within and outside of the region.
Lusatia as a global leader of transformation
Lusatia as a global leader of transformation
Interesting facts
Developing new cooperation networks
Your innovation boost
Structural change implies transforming the existing network of research institutions, production plants and service providers in the field of opencast mining and power plant engineering into a multi-tiered infrastructure for value creation. We are dedicated to contributing to this process in our capacity as a platform of regional cooperation.
Workshops
The Lausitz Lab
Projects
Innovation Interactive
Co-innovation plattform
How to contact us
Contribute
Our office ‘Lausitz Lab’ is located in Hubertstraße 24, 03044 Cottbus near the BTU (Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg).
Arrival by car: We recommend using the public parking facilities in Nordstraße due to limited parking space availability.
From there it is only a few metres to the office of Innovationsregion Lausitz GmbH.
Arrival by public transport: The iRL office is located two kilometres away from the Cottbus main railway station. A taxi will bring you to the Lausitz Lab in about six minutes. Alternatively, the bus line 16 gets you directly to our office. Take the bus direction Stadthalle (City Hall) and get off at TU Mensa. From there, it is only a few minutes on foot to our office. You can also use the tram line 1 direction Schmellwitz/Anger. In this case, please get off at Zimmerstraße and again it is only a few minutes on foot to the iRL office.
Innovationsregion Lausitz GmbH
Hubertstraße 24 | 03044 Cottbus
Telefon: 03 55 / 49 45 96 59
E-Mail: info@innovationsregionlausitz.de