News from the region

Back from the holidays and looking ahead to the next stage of life: many young people already know what path they want to take after school or university. Others have left their decision open for now. The application portals are still open – at least for most degree programmes with no entry requirements. 

With regard to cultural work in rural areas, dedicated initiatives and structures have developed in many places, contributing to the sustainable development and revitalisation of the region in an authentic and identity-building way. The district authority can provide funding of up to €1,500.00 for such projects, provided applications are submitted by 30 October 2026.

Despite economic challenges: Brandenburg’s businesses continue to invest in the next generation of skilled workers – chambers of commerce report positive results at the start of the training year. Furthermore, there are still very good prospects for a successful start to a career. 

This latest act of violence in Erkner has shocked the Oder-Spree district. The district administration has provided information on easily accessible support services that enable families, and women in particular, to seek advice and help anonymously.

Over the next few years, Telekom is to build a fibre-optic network in Frankfurt (Oder) to serve 26,800 households and businesses. To this end, the city and Telekom have today signed a joint memorandum of understanding. 

Good healthcare is a key factor in a town’s appeal – both for the people of Eisenhüttenstadt and for the town’s attractiveness as a place to live and do business. That is why the town is now providing its own financial boost.

Preparations for the “National Reading Aloud Day” have begun. On 20 November, people across the country will once again be reading aloud. The Stiftung Lesen is calling on as many people as possible to read aloud in as many places as possible on this day. 

The Märkisch-Oderland district and the independent city of Frankfurt (Oder) intend to work more closely together in future in the field of land registration and surveying. On 20 August 2026, a public-law agreement to this effect was signed by Gernot Schmidt, District Administrator of Märkisch-Oderland, and Dr Strasser, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder).

The European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder), has been awarded the Ukrainian Studies Distinguished Award by the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies. The award ceremony took place on 8 July 2026 as part of the opening of the international conference ‘Ukrainian Studies in the World’ at the National Opera House in Lviv, Ukraine. 

Culture is a crucial factor for the future of rural regions. Researchers at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg have, for the first time, comprehensively demonstrated how cultural networks promote social participation, drive regional development and strengthen democratic cohesion. At the same time, the study makes it clear that sustainable impact can only be achieved where long-term commitment is matched by reliable funding structures.

Dr Manja Schüle, Minister for Culture, welcomes the future structure of the municipal financial equalisation scheme, on which the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, and the umbrella organisations reached agreement today in Potsdam. Among other things, it was decided that, in order to preserve the theatre and orchestra sector, the allocation from the financial equalisation fund would be increased by 8 million euros to 30 million euros from 2027.

The Ministry of Culture is supporting seven initiatives from the Pop Project Fund: from rehearsals and studio recordings to concerts and festivals, the Ministry of Culture is once again supporting various popular music projects this year through the ‘Pop Brandenburg’ funding programme, with a total of 50,000 euros.

With the ceremonial handover of several comprehensively refurbished sports and school facilities, the city of Frankfurt (Oder) is sending a clear signal of its commitment to the long-term development of elite and youth sport. This week, four major construction projects were officially handed over for use at the sports centre and on the campus of the Frankfurt (Oder) Sports School.

A drone-based 5G solution provides a broadband network, enabling not only communication between emergency services but also the transmission of real-time situational updates and the remote control of robots. To mark the conclusion of the AMADEUS project, Fraunhofer FOKUS, together with its partners, demonstrated its findings yesterday at Schönhagen Airfield in Brandenburg using a realistic scenario for disaster and crisis response operations.

To promote innovative product development and marketing concepts, pro agro is organising the 28th edition of the “pro agro Marketing Award – naturally Brandenburg!”. The award is intended to recognise innovative products, creative marketing ideas and successful concepts from rural areas of Brandenburg.