Development of a master plan to manage structural change in the Elbe-Elster region Regional VerwEErtbar
The Elbe-Elster region in the south of the state of Brandenburg is affected by the phase-out of lignite mining and the associated change processes. It is part of the structural change region of Lusatia. Based on the status quo of the economic structure in the region, sustainable cultivation, provision, and use of biomass and biological resources offer a point of reference for shaping the structural change. This applies in particular in the case of increased – higher-value – coupled and cascade use of existing raw materials, which combines the production of food and animal feed with material and energy usages.
With a resolution, district council representatives of the Elbe-Elster region decided to develop a master plan to manage the structural change. With the cross-sectoral participation of local stakeholders from agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and horticulture as well as the downstream processing industry, possible potentials for future-oriented products will be identified, analysed and their suitability for regional value creation examined. For this, the raw material base, production processes and procedures in individual sectors of the region will be considered in more detail. In addition, options for action for local economic players will be explored in order to be prepared to the changed framework conditions of structural change.
The IÖW, in cooperation with the DBFZ and Willeke_green Climate Consulting, is looking at regionally adapted options for optimizing sustainable biomass production, such as climate-adapted cultivation methods or extended crop rotations in land use. On the other hand, development opportunities for the region's manufacturing industry will be analyzed in order to introduce new products and processes. One example of this is the increased utilization of residual materials and by-products from biomass production. Based on these analyses and the involvement of stakeholders from relevant economic sectors, specific measures will be developed and funding opportunities for their subsequent implementation will be identified as core of the master plan.
The Elbe-Elster district administration is implementing the project with funding from the LEADER funding program 2023-2027 “EAFRD - European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development”.
