News from the region

Prof. Dr Eduard Mühle, President of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), together with the heads of the partner universities of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), has signed the notarial deed to establish an international non-profit association under Belgian law in Brussels. With this step, the alliance is transforming its previously project-based cooperation into a permanent institutional structure. 

The district of Märkisch-Oderland congratulates the towns of Strausberg, Müncheberg and Seelow on their successful entries in the Brandenburg 2025/2026 city centre competition. Innovative projects for the revitalisation and further development of city centres were honoured at the awards ceremony in Potsdam.

What does class sound like? What do sounds and their perception say about belonging and social injustice? Dr Jana Maria Weiß has been awarded the Postdoc Prize of the State of Brandenburg for her work on these questions as part of the Potsdam Day of Science 

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The Senate of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) confirmed Prof. Dr Gesine Grande as President for a second term of office on 7 May 2026. The re-election represents continuity at the top of the university. At the same time, the decision emphasises BTU's role as a driving force for the transformation of Lusatia. The new term of office will begin in October 2026 following the appointment by Science Minister Manja Schüle and will last six years.

About one in eight adults in Germany has major difficulties with reading and writing. The state of Brandenburg is therefore supporting learning and counselling services for adults with funding from the European Social Fund (ESF+). On 7 May 2026, Education Minister Gordon Hoffmann handed over a grant notification for the regional basic education centre in Frankfurt (Oder) and for adult literacy and basic education courses to Lord Mayor Dr Axel Strasser.

The European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) has once again taken top place in the 2026 nationwide university ranking by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE) and the weekly newspaper Die ZEIT. The ranking, which also takes student assessments into account, once again recognises Viadrina's excellent study conditions with excellent support and an outstanding international orientation.

Spring upturn very subdued – unemployment rate in East Brandenburg remains at 6.7 per cent: In April, a total of 15,215 people were registered as unemployed in the city of Frankfurt (Oder), the district of Märkisch-Oderland and the district of Oder-Spree. That is 129 fewer than in March and 7 more than in April 2025.

The 2026 Metropolitan Region East Training Award has been launched. We are looking for committed trainees and training companies from the region. Many of you do outstanding training work every day. Make your commitment visible now with the training award and apply by 21 June 2026!

The presence centre Fürstenwalde  is reorganising: With immediate effect, the university presence centre is now based in Beeskow and will operate under the name "Präsenzstelle Oderland-Spree | Beeskow". With the new location and an expanded regional focus, it is strengthening its role as a central interface between science and society in the region.

The state of Brandenburg has published a new guide that shows how culture and the creative industries can help to keep city centres vibrant and turn vacancies into opportunities.

This year's trainee photo competition organised by the Brandenburg Chambers of Industry and Commerce under the motto "Training. Passion. Me.", 81 photos were submitted from all over Brandenburg. The entries impressively show how diverse, practical and personal training is today. An online vote was held to select the best photos. The topic struck a chord: 8,000 votes were cast.

How companies can practically implement the requirements of the European Green Deal was the focus of the Business Congress of the German-Polish Border Regions: Sustainability and the Future on 28 April 2026 at Trebnitz Castle. Around 120 companies, institutions and experts from Germany and Poland exchanged views on topics such as energy efficiency, sustainability management and funding opportunities.

The German-Polish Tourist Information Centre invites you to experience the twin city of Frankfurt (Oder)-Słubice from a new perspective. From May to October, there are regular public tours of the city as well as a variety of themed tours. The diverse programme is aimed at both visitors and locals who want to rediscover their city.

The district of Märkisch-Oderland has successfully completed the "Altlandsberg residential home" realisation competition. On 14 April 2026, the jury selected the winning design for the new residential home for children, adolescents and young adults with disabilities.

Final spurt for Brandenburg's top companies: Half-time in the race for the most important business award in the state of Brandenburg: companies from all sectors can submit their applications for the "Brandenburg Future Prize" until 31 May 2026 – conveniently online at www.zukunftspreis-brandenburg.de