Past news

A total of 185 teams submitted business concepts for the second phase of the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW) 2026. Ten teams were nominated for the second award. They presented their concepts on 29 April 2026 at the Siemens Center in Berlin.

The East Brandenburg and Cottbus Chambers of Industry and Commerce want to support their member companies even more effectively in opening up markets in Poland and join forces to do so. Monique Zweig, Managing Director of IHK Ostbrandenburg, and André Fritsche, Managing Director of IHK Cottbus, signed an agreement to this effect on 15 April 2026 in Gubin as part of a joint meeting of the foreign trade committees of both chambers.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is having a noticeable impact on Brandenburg's already weakened economy. This is shown by a recent flash survey conducted by the Brandenburg Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) among companies from industry, construction, trade, hospitality and transport in the IHK's honorary office. Three quarters of the companies surveyed stated that they were negatively affected. Companies are struggling with rising costs, unstable supply chains and growing uncertainties. This is clearly slowing down economic development.

IHK Ostbrandenburg criticises relief bonus as anti-business: In the view of the IHK Ostbrandenburg, the federal government's decision that employees can also receive a bonus of up to 1000 euros as part of the relief package is detrimental to companies in the proposed form.

European University Viadrina is reforming its range of courses: from the winter semester 2026/27, it will offer five new Master's degree programmes and a new Bachelor's degree programme. Overall, the degree programmes will be more closely aligned with the needs of students and the focus on Eastern Europe will be strengthened in all faculties – individually, internationally and close to the issues of the current polycrisis.

Applications now open for Sorbian/Wendish teaching degree programme at BTU in Senftenberg/Zły Komorow - local authorities and Sorbian Foundation provide scholarships: In autumn, the second subject Sorbian/Wendish will start at the Senftenberg/Zły Komorow campus of the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) as part of the bachelor's degree courses in primary school teaching – applications for the course are open from 27 April to 15 July 2026.

IHK Ostbrandenburg publishes new commercial rent index for the region: With the 2026 commercial rent index, the IHK Ostbrandenburg has now published an up-to-date overview of commercial rents in the districts of Uckermark, Barnim, Märkisch-Oderland, Oder-Spree and the city of Frankfurt (Oder). It contains an overview of current existing rents for shops, offices, surgeries, law firms, restaurants as well as production and storage space at 16 locations in East Brandenburg.

With the new exhibition "Aufnahmezustand", the Brandenburg State Museum of Modern Art (BLMK) is presenting selected new additions to its collection from the past five years in the Rathaushalle Frankfurt (Oder). A total of 43 artistic positions provide an insight into the continuous expansion of a collection that, with around 45,000 works, is one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in East Germany.

Just in time for the first warm rays of sunshine, the summer programme is ready. All events until the end of August have been released for booking. Visitors to the theatre located in the Oderbruch can look forward to many highlights and are invited to take a look behind the scenes at the open day.

On Brandenburg Future Day 2026, the IHP – Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics opened its doors to young people aged between 13 and 17. The focus was not only on insights into modern microelectronics, but also on concrete paths into training, studies and careers. More than ten employees showed how young people in Frankfurt (Oder) can enter a technological field of the future.