Schleswig-Holstein has its sights set on innovation topics. In its research and innovation policy, the state is using its existing strengths to address new societal challenges – for example in the areas of renewable energies/the energy transition, the life sciences, medical technology, marine sciences, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, as well as the cultural and creative industries. Excellent and innovative research areas in both basic and application-oriented research form the basis for contributing to shaping the future in a global community. In this way, the stakeholders create new perspectives for social and technological challenges through intelligent, resource-efficient and climate-friendly solutions. The focus is on the following approaches:
Strengthening the innovation activities of enterprises, activation of SMEs: In order to sustainably increase R&D intensity, innovation activities and strategies are to be anchored in local companies, in particular SMEs, and improvements will be made to the requisite regulatory framework for companies. In addition to activating existing companies, another focus is on increasing the number of start-ups. Schleswig-Holstein continues to build an environment that encourages innovative entrepreneurs and new business models and is expanding its supportive environment for venture capital and experienced mentors.
Strengthening and expanding research and innovation capacities: Schleswig-Holstein is growing its regional knowledge base and the focal points of its regional learning and innovation processes by boosting and expanding the research and innovation capacities at universities and non-university research institutions. In addition, regional cooperation will be further expanded and intensified in order to exploit diverse cross-innovation potentials. Cross-sectoral cooperation serves as a catalyst for growth and innovation processes in a variety of sectors.
Intensifying research transfer activities and further developing them in networked and cooperative structures: Schleswig-Holstein’s innovation policy continues to support the expansion of new infrastructures for technology and knowledge transfer. The German Council of Science and Humanities commissioned an expert appraisal on this undertaking, the results of which were presented in October 2023.
Driving digital transformation in the private sector and civil society: Benefiting from increasing digitalisation requires broad expertise and a holistic understanding of the digital transformation. Schleswig-Holstein supports science and industry in making greater use of digital technologies and solutions, and in testing and applying digital solutions in industries and key technologies. Achieving this requires digital workshops and AI application centres. These should be designed to be as open topic as possible and to address a wide range of actors. An important component in the implementation of technological transformation and digitalisation is the broad participation of people, scientific institutions, companies and regions. By the same token, digitalisation processes must contribute to solving societal challenges in both urban and rural areas.