New innovation campus in Uckermark: 110 million euros for the future!

New innovation campus in Uckermark: 110 million euros for the future!

A new impetus for the Uckermark: On December 16th, District Administrator Karina Dörk (CDU) handed over the funding applications from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB). This fund helps regions that want to phase out fossil fuels and provides a whopping 110 million euros for the Uckermark. Of this, up to 80 million euros will flow into the development of an innovation campus, while 30 million euros will be used specifically to promote businesses in the Uckermark district. Nordkurier reports that the projects submitted include, among other things, the planned DemoHub in Schwedt.

What is behind this DemoHub? It will function as an innovation center and living laboratory for start-ups and companies. Here new technologies, especially in green chemistry and bioeconomy, can be tested and developed under real conditions. The hub is intended not only to promote the creativity of founders, but also to create synergies between research, science and industry. In the Innovation Campus, young companies have the opportunity to further develop their ideas in practice and bring them to series production together with established companies.

A support program for the region

The EU funding program from the Just Transition Fund started on April 10, 2025 specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Uckermark. With a funding rate of up to 70 percent, companies can have productive investments supported. This is particularly important for those affected by the upheaval in the energy industry or planning investments in the circular economy. Schwedt.de highlights that a total of up to 30 million euros are available for this program.

This funding program has a broad target group. It is aimed not only at companies from the refinery value chain, but also at those who want to operate sustainably, be it in the construction industry, crafts or even in the catering industry. SMEs receive additional support through advice to accompany productive investments. Particular attention is paid to supporting young start-ups through the “Startgeld Uckermark”, which gives newly founded companies a financial tailwind in the first twelve months.

Future-oriented commitment

The commitment to structural change in the Uckermark goes hand in hand with the goal of making the region climate-neutral and resource-efficient. ESF Brandenburg reports that this innovative concept is also important for often overlooked industries. The overall volume of the funding program is ambitious, but the region has the right tools to overcome this challenge with an excellent team made up of city officials and the district.

With all of these measures, the Uckermark not only wants to increase its attractiveness as a location, but also create a strongly future-oriented business location that can meet the challenges of the times. We can only hope that the planned projects will be implemented quickly and that the region will soon be able to benefit from the initial successes.