Structural Change and Regional Development Coalitions in South-Eastern Lower Saxony

New approaches to securing jobs and dealing with structural transformation are being taken in Southeast Lower Saxony. The two companies that predominate in the region — Volkswagen AG and Salzgitter AG — have founded their own personnel development and training companies. A regional development agency has been set up with the participation of the trade unions. These new approaches can be understood both as internal company objectives and as a contribution to overall responsibility for a given location. Some exemplary project initiatives are presented here in the form of regional strategies for innovation and development concepts, business start-up networks and collaboration between business and universities.