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Christian Pegel, Minister for the Interior, Construction and Digitalization, presented the funding notices to the project sponsors at the Digital Innovation Center (DIZ) in Greifswald. He emphasized the key role the project plays in shaping digitalization and the associated transformation in the state in a sustainable way.
Christian Pegel, Minister for the Interior, Construction and Digitalization:
“Continuing the funding period for the Digital Innovation Space is a crucial step in preparing Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for a digital future. Especially in a large-area state like ours, we must provide targeted stimuli so that rural regions also benefit from technological progress and digital opportunities. With the Innovation Space, we are not only creating places for networking and knowledge exchange but also strengthening local innovation — for modern jobs, vibrant regions, and equal living conditions in both urban and rural areas.”
The Digital Innovation Space Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was launched in 2018 as part of the state government's Digital Agenda. This included the decision to establish six regional digital innovation centers. The project is managed by the Digital Transformation Task Force within the Ministry of the Interior, Construction and Digitalization, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labor.
Dr. Wolfgang Blank, Minister for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labor:
“With this next phase of our Digital Innovation Space, we are continuing the successful work of recent years and taking it to the next level. Through the established network, we will continue to support individuals, businesses, and municipalities in building digital skills, developing new business models, and spreading innovation throughout the region.”
20 Million Euro for Digital Transformation in MV
The third funding phase (“DIR 3.0”) runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. Approximately €8.8 million will be made available to project partners during this period. Since the project’s inception in 2018, a total of around €20 million has been invested in the Digital Innovation Space. Of this, about €17.5 million comes from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) via the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The remaining 12.5% of the total funding is provided from the state’s own budget through the Ministry for Digitalization.
Funding recipients for the third phase:
- The six Digital Innovation Centers in Greifswald, Neubrandenburg, Rostock, Schwerin, Stralsund and Wismar
- As well as the coworking spaces DEVELUP (in the district of Ludwigslust-Parchim) and Project Bay (in the district of Vorpommern-Rügen)
Digital Innovation Space: Hands-On Digitalization
The Digital Innovation Space MV is a core element of the state’s 2018 Digital Agenda. Since the first funding phase, the goal has been to make digitalization practical, locally rooted, and tailored to its target groups. So far, more than 30,000 people have participated in its diverse offerings — including over 1,000 events and more than 3,000 information and networking sessions.
Target groups include:
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Entrepreneurs and startups
- Associations, clubs, and community initiatives
- Educational institutions, universities, and public administrations
Thematically, the offerings cover a wide range — from artificial intelligence, data protection, and digital business models, to hybrid work, digital tools, and digital solutions in public administration. Formats range from low-threshold dialogue sessions to multi-day innovation camps.
The two coworking spaces, Project Bay and DEVELUP, adapt the DIR concept specifically for rural areas, boosting digital inclusion, networking, knowledge transfer, and local innovation capacity.
Source: Press release from the Ministry for the Interior, Construction and Digitalization of M-V (IM)
