Roadshow Sustainable Development

Sustainable action is essential to ensure the future viability of municipalities. For this purpose, innovative paths must be taken that improve the economic situation of municipalities in the long term.

The Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS) at the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to inform municipalities throughout Germany about the results of FONA research as part of the "Roadshow Sustainable Development".

The thematic focus is on land and land use, water management and energy supply. The solutions presented were developed and tested by researchers together with partners from municipalities and industry. On this basis, municipalities can form a sustainability management system that enables new economic models, additional jobs and a sustainable future.

In a total of six events held throughout Germany, around 200 municipal representatives received information about the results of the FONA research. Subsequently, 27 selected model municipalities started the practical application of products of the FONA research together with the IfaS within the scope of a sustainability coaching of about one year. First, the relevant economic, ecological and social structures as well as planned developments, with regard to the main topics under consideration, were analyzed in close consultation with municipal decision-makers. After identifying possible solutions, approaches for action were defined together with the municipalities, which were then developed into projects that could be implemented.

It was also planned to describe the selected project approaches in more detail by means of project outlines. This includes an argumentative plausibility check with regard to feasibility as well as information on required infrastructures, technologies and actors. An initial estimate of the economic viability and regional value-added effects will also be made. The results are formulated as a recommendation for action to the extent that they serve the municipalities as a basis for a committee/council resolution on the implementation of the project.

Furthermore, "Take17" (www.take17.de), a nationwide film competition, was launched in which the generation of the future had its say. The competition called on 14- to 29-year-olds to produce short films on the 17 sustainability goals of the 2030 Agenda and to creatively record their views on this complex issue.

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