Euregional sustainability center in the border region

The Euregional Sustainability Center started its activities in the Dutch-German border region in January 2023. The aim is to promote sustainability, energy transition and circular economy through cooperation and knowledge exchange. This initiative has been made possible by the approval of a grant from the Regio Deal North Limburg.

The center is an initiative of Fontys Venlo, which is taking up this challenge together with various knowledge institutions, companies (associations) and governments on both sides of the border. German and Dutch partners can learn from each other through collaboration. By joining forces of the individual project partners, the border region will be better perceived as an innovative region in the field of sustainability. In the center, students, researchers and companies will work together to learn from each other, help companies innovate and attract talent to the region.

The challenges of the energy transition and sustainability are great on both sides of the border. Therefore, the center will focus on transforming outdated industrial sites into attractive and healthy places to live and/or work. Knowledge gained in Germany and the Netherlands about sustainable projects will be incorporated, such as the development of Venlo City Hall or the Floriade site. The focus is on the manufacturing industry, an important sector in the border region. For manufacturing companies, the challenge of sustainability is great: there are many opportunities to use the energy and residual flows of other companies. The goal is to stop sending materials to landfills and reuse them as often as possible.

Short info:

• The goal of the center is to promote sustainability, energy transition and circular economy in the border region through cooperation and knowledge exchange.
• Duration: 09/2022 – 08/2024
• Status: WFMG is a project partner. The project started in January 2023.