The outreach hub in Luckenwalde/Germany was established in the framework of a government initiative to support university knowledge and technology transfer in rural regions in 2019. Two Universities of Applied Sciences, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and the city council of Luckenwalde collaborate to initiate and run the activities of the outreach hub. With a unique profile, the outreach hub incorporates a coworking- and makerspace as well as space for exponates and with approximately 800 square meters, situated in the city center of the town to engage with the local community and to address regional needs and challenges. The outreach hub initiates and supports new opportunities for university cooperations with SMEs and civil society in the region. Within the hub a variety of participatory formats take place, like Open Lab Days in the makerspace, coworking arrangements, meetups with SME representatives, workshops with local government representatives, participative workshops with pupils from local schools, civil society, students and academic staff. The outreach hub Luckenwalde in a peripheral region has proven its important role in universities third mission strategies and triggers, promotes and especially accelerates participatory projects with the local community. In this context, an outreach hub as collaborative work space for regional actors can support the regional engagement of universities with special focus on third mission activities. With an affiliation to two universities but with different organization structures and location than the universities, the outreach hub can offer place-based and context dependent bottom-up outreach activities in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Finalist
EDI Community Engagement Initiative of the Year Award
Gewerbehof - Praesenzstelle Luckenwalde
Finalist of the EDI Community Engagement Initiative of the Year Award
University of Applied Sciences Wildau, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, City of Luckenwalde (all Germany) - Germany
"Experimenting together, growthing together - Outreach Hub Luckenwalde"
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Summary
Key People
Dana Mietzner
Professor for Innovation Management and Regional Development
Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
Markus Lahr
Coordinator and Makerspace Manager Gewerbehof Luckenwalde
Research Group for Innovation Management and Regional Development,
Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
Manuel Haberland
Community Manager Gewerbehof Luckenwalde
Research Group Innovation Management and Regional Development,
Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
Hardy Salka
Product and Grafic Designer Makerspace, Gewerbehof Luckenwalde
Research Group Innovation Management and Regional Development,
Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
Antje Michel
Professor of Information Didactics and Knowledge Transfer
Information Sciences Department IaF – Institute for Applied Research Urban Futures,
University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Julie Zwoch
Science Communication
University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Marta Domurat-Linde
Head of Showroom, Gewerbehof Luckenwalde
University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
Images
Building a model for the city of Luckenwalde in the year 2040 using Lego Serious Play
Podcast recording with state-of-the-art gear and acoustics
3D-scanning of a wooden chair made with a milling machine
Speed dating for business
Workshop situation
Constructing a bike sensor with soldering iron
Brandenburger Science Slam with 130 participants
Brandenburger AI-Day with 180 visitors
Large format 3D-printers in the makerspace
Modifiable exhibition system
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Impact Story: Stephan's Journey with the Gewerbehof in Luckenwalde
Stephan, originally from Lusatia (Lausitz) region in Germany, moved to Jueterbog about two years ago. Seeking a dynamic environment to pursue his sales activities outside of a home office and to establish personal connections in the region, he decided to join our coworking space in Luckenwalde. Approximately 35 years old, Stephan is not only a sales employee but also the founder of the clothing label "Bergmannsgold."
"Bergmannsgold" aims to preserve the mining traditions of the Lusatia region, especially following the region's transition away from lignite coal mining. Lusatia's economy was heavily reliant on lignite coal mining, and many businesses had direct or indirect ties to the mining industry. This transition threatens the strong economic, cultural, and identity links between the people and the coal industry. With proceeds from "Bergmannsgold," Stephan supports a local association dedicated to preserving these mining traditions.
The Gewerbehof in Luckenwalde played a crucial role in Stephan's journey by providing essential support and resources. We offered him a dedicated workspace that fostered a creative and productive environment. Additionally, we assisted him in creating and evaluating various graphic materials, such as his website design and flyers. We also supported him in developing prototypes for clothing items like T-shirts, sweaters, hats, and caps, ensuring high production quality.
For the presentation of his label, we helped create exhibition materials, including flyer stands, and assisted in brainstorming various presentation methods. We also offered brainstorming sessions for slogans, feedback on his online shop, and other conceptual aspects of his label and business. Through his collaboration with the Gewerbehof, Stephan acquired valuable technical skills, learning to use various tools and software, including textile printers, laser cutters, 3D printers, and cutting plotters. Stephan's story is a powerful example of the transformative power of community support and collaboration. By joining the Gewerbehof in Luckenwalde, he was able to advance his sales career and nurture his entrepreneurial spirit. His clothing label, "Bergmannsgold," stands as a beacon of cultural preservation, celebrating the rich mining heritage of Lusatia. The support from the Gewerbehof was instrumental in his success, providing the resources, feedback, and technical skills needed to bring his vision to life. Through this journey, Stephan has not only built a thriving business but also contributed to the cultural and economic resilience of his region.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
The inclusion of civil society through the outreach hub is particularly promising for universities in the context of the third mission. The outreach hub allows universities to directly engage with people living in the region, addressing local community issues and facilitating the development of solutions. It acts as a crystallization point where new relationships and forms of cooperation are formed.
The architecture of the Gewerbehof supports this low-threshold approach, fostering uncomplicated encounters between science and society. A hall with open doors and an inviting, yet modest, coworking and makerspace infrastructure helps break down barriers, counteracting the often perceived "ivory tower" of universities. The outreach hub's function is not solely defined by its physical location but is enhanced through suitable dialog formats that can take place in or around it.
These formats indicate that research and transfer at universities benefit directly, as knowledge from local communities enriches research processes, and valuable skills from civil society actors enhance universities. Knowledge exchange becomes possible in both directions. However, it is crucial to ensure that the outreach hub maintains its connection to the universities, as initiatives and projects are strongly related to the surrounding region and its issues.
Therefore, it is important to integrate the outreach hub as an equal component of the universities, considering both the physical distance and its function. Continuous implementation of various formats with academics from the universities and local communities is essential for its success.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Long-term funding has been secured for the operation of the Gewerbehof Luckenwalde and the initiative, which was originally launched as a project, has been continued in the long term. The aim is to continue experimenting with participatory formats in the future in order to further explore the approaches of involving local SMEs and civil society in research and transfer activities and to test their transferability to other regions.
Furthermore, the topics of circular economy, principles of ecological sustainability in makerspace environments and sustainable urban development will be focused on in the future. In this context, inter- and transdisciplinary projects are expected to be initiated and/or supported by the Gewerbehof Luckenwalde.
Another focus will be the realization of citizen science projects. Here, direct access to civil society offers excellent opportunities to address citizens. Nevertheless, citizen science and participatory formats are still not widespread at universities and are confronted with a variety of open questions that will be analyzed in more detail over the next few years.
