To mark European Waste Prevention Week, the Märkisch-Oderland waste management company (EMO) is launching the Zero Waste Index MOL – an online directory of regional companies, initiatives and facilities such as repair workshops, repair cafés, second-hand and unpackaged stores or rental services to help citizens live more sustainably and with less waste.

On Tuesday, 25 November, the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) received the German Employer Award for Education 2025 for its outstanding commitment to promoting democracy. The award was given for a seminar on the topic of "Democracy in crisis?" by Lilo Meier, Elisa Lehrer and Dr. Anna Rößner.

IHK Ostbrandenburg, Viadrina and Western IHK Gorzów warn of long-term damage caused by ongoing border controls and call for rapid relief measures: Representatives from business and science report that the controls at the German-Polish border inhibit the mobility of workers and researchers, disrupt supply chains and make cross-border cooperation and education massively more difficult.

Labor market without momentum – unemployment rate remains at 6.4 percent: In November, a total of 14,633 people were registered as unemployed in the city of Frankfurt (Oder), the district of Märkisch-Oderland and the district of Oder-Spree. That is 26 fewer than in October and 373 more than in November 2024.

The Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Museums Viadrina e.V. has been able to acquire another print for the Municipal Museum. The colored steel engraving is largely a copy of a lithograph by the artist Friedrich Heinrich Bils (1801–1853) from before 1826. The association is currently working on the purchase of a rare and culturally valuable grinding jug from the middle of the 17th century, which can be supported by donations.

In the state of Brandenburg, cab and hire car companies are an indispensable part of medical care: they have been reliably providing patient transportation for years to transport people with limited mobility – especially in rural areas. However, it is not yet clear whether ambulance services can still be offered in the state of Brandenburg from January 1, 2026.

The "Altlandsberger Schlossgespräche" series of events will enter a new round on January 22, 2026 with the focus on "Business meets state politics". From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Schlossgut Altlandsberg, participants can look forward to inspiration for the 2026 business year and the opportunity to contribute their perspectives directly to the dialog with state politicians.

Could thoughts be read out of the brain in the future or even stored there? What protection mechanisms are needed to ensure privacy, identity, mental integrity, autonomy and equality? On Wednesday, December 10, Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Dederer, member of the German Ethics Council, will give a public lecture at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) entitled "Neurotechnologies and international human rights protection".

The program for "Sternsinger und Sauerkraut" on 7 December at Frankfurt's Kleist Forum theater includes both light-hearted and contemplative pieces. Newsreel legend Dagmar Berghoff will read pre-Christmas texts by Paulo Coelho, Selma Lagerlöf and Bertolt Brecht, among others. She will be accompanied by singer Felicitas Breest and pianist Siegfried Gerlich.

In the state of Brandenburg, young farmers can receive a business start-up grant if they set up or buy an agricultural business or take over a farm as part of a transfer within or outside the family. Björn Hallmann from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Consumer Protection (MLEUV) of the state of Brandenburg will present the business start-up grant in the webinar on 4.12.2025.