About us
VISTRA – Vechta Institute of Sustainability Transformation in Rural Areas
The members of the Institute focus on the various dimensions and dynamics of transformation processes in rural areas in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner. We are interested in multi-scalar spatial challenges around the globe and observe process of change through the lens of sustainability. Geographers, economists, psychologists and other transition researchers at VISTRA understand transformations as processes, which are heavily influenced by the activities and impact of heterogenous actors and stakeholders involved in multiple helix arrangements.
From left: Alistair Adam Hernández, Iris Rickhoff-Fischer and Karl Martin Born
Within SIRR, VISTRA acts as the lead partner for the project’s knowledge generation. In partnership, we aim to analyse and compare the participating multiple helix hubs to identify possible supporting and hindering factors affecting the deepening process towards a consolidated multi-helix approach and questioning the efficiency of different pathways and structures towards it.
We consider continuous feedback with the hubs as well as their constant accompaniment together with our partners in SIRR key elements of transdisciplinary and transformational science
Please visit VISTRA HERE
TrENDi
TrENDi at the University of Vechta is the central contact point for "Entrepreneurship Education". We support the implementation of projects of different kinds - from start-ups to student initiatives and societal ideas and innovation. All TrENDi activities are based on common passion and a broad concept of entrepreneurship as one of the life competencies.
In May 2020, TrENDi Start-up Service set out to support the implementation of projects of different kinds - from start-ups to student initiatives and societal ideas and innovation. Looking back on 206 consultations, 132 events with a total of 3637 participants, 48 supported start-up initiatives, 5 successful start-up grants amounting to €252,000 and around €750,000 in third-party project funding raised, TrENDi has contributed greatly to spreading the concept of ‘entrepreneurship education’ – both within the university and outside.
TrENDi - Team. Arne Ortland, Local Project Manager, is number 3 from right
Drawing on this rich experience, TrENDi is eager to share its insights into fostering future competencies, supporting initiatives, and facilitating workshops and other participatory events.
At the same time, TrENDi has built up a cosmos of European project work. In May 2023, an Alliance for Regional Resilience, building on existing collaborations in various European projects, such as EMBRACE, DigiTrans, SIRR, Buffer+, VISKI and Symbosis, was founded. The aim of the alliance is to promote regional resilience by creating business models for social challenges. While the scope of these projects is European, the achievement of project objectives almost always requires a systematic stakeholder engagement on a regional level. Within the SIRR consortium, TrENDi contributes experiences in aligning the interests of regional stakeholders with the international scope of European project work.
Please visit TrENDi HERE
TrENDi Pilot hub
Setting: Rural area, located in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Main regional business: Agriculture and Agricultural services.
Challenges in focus: Lacking civil society. Difficulties with involving SMEs. Housing problems. Hardly noticeable tourism.