On 4 September, the regional stakeholder group involved in the INTERREG-Europe INSPIRE project set off on a discovery tour of the region with the Lahn-Dill-Wetzlar LEADER region. Why? To see what funding actually achieves on the ground – and what happens beyond the major flagship projects when smaller-scale digital and social initiatives come together. You only realise what LEADER and the regional budget make possible when you go there: new business ideas and start-ups, a midwifery practice in a rural area, a distillery that bottles regional specialities.
What you don’t see – and what nevertheless became clear
The role of smaller digital steps also became clear. No major flagship projects – just unassuming initiatives that are changing how spaces are used, how access is provided and how people come together.
- A modern access system: anyone booking a village community centre can gain entry via a code – without having to collect a key, make a phone call or plan ahead. A simple booking system that breaks down barriers.
- A robotics course at the community centre, where young and old tinker and programme together – and the new 3D printer at the social meeting place.
- Start-ups that utilise new technologies become more professional more quickly: ordering processes, bookkeeping, communication.
Many small ideas that prove one thing: digitalisation doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to work. A quote from the evening: “It should also support people who, as volunteers, ensure that others can make meaningful use of their free time.”
Digitalisation on a small scale – and why it cannot be taken for granted
Digitalisation is often equated with large-scale infrastructure, fibre-optic cables and 5G – important, but not the whole story. It’s also right on our doorstep, in the booking system, in the course room, and at the small business round the corner. These initiatives don’t attract much attention and – apart from in LEADER – don’t feature in many funding schemes.
The tour of our region and the Interreg Europe INSPIRE project have shown stakeholders what can be achieved through LEADER – discreetly highlighting digitalisation, which sometimes goes unnoticed, and reporting on the experiences of the other INSPIRE partners and the project itself.
Contact person at IfLS: Hanna Kramer (kramer[at]ifls.de)
