Shaping sustainable urban development together on a digital platform that connects citizens, students, businesses and institutions – that’s mini-Klever. At its heart is the ideas marketplace, where users can share ideas for climate protection, resource conservation or social projects and find resource partnerships for materials, expertise or financing. mini-Klever is the brainchild of Julia Koch, Younes Al-Cabir, Colin Rusch and Kai Schmid. They are studying IBM (International Business Management) at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. Their goal: ‘We want to bring local businesses together with people who have good ideas. Good ideas can be implemented more easily through suitable partnerships. This makes sustainability tangible, motivating and accessible to everyone.’
Regional matching gateway
Being a student, another aspect is important to them: giving companies and organisations access to committed students. For example, in the context of arranging microjobs. These are temporary, practice-oriented projects or small tasks in which students can contribute their skills and gain additional experience.
‘Whether it’s a marketing project for a non-profit initiative, a sustainability check for a regional company or supporting senior citizens with digital issues – there are so many opportunities that are currently not being advertised anywhere in a centralised manner. Mini-Klever can fill this gap.’
Based on well-known social networks such as LinkedIn, Mini-Klever allows users to create a profile highlighting their strengths. A search bar can be used to search for specific skills from companies and other institutions. Needless to say, companies can also create their own pages.
Growing Together
The mini-Klever team plans to start with students from other degree programmes and then grow slowly. ‘The platform can begin with simple functions, such as posting ideas and finding supporters, and then be gradually expanded and supplemented with new features such as microjobs,’ explain the four young people. The prize money from Klever Birne will be used to implement the platform technically, secure the legal framework and launch a targeted campaign to encourage Kleve-based companies, citizens and students to get involved.
‘We are focusing on active participation and the systematic linking of local resources,’ emphasises the mini-Klever team. The aim is to shape the future together, even without high entry barriers or prior technical knowledge.
Curious? View individual introductions to this year’s finalists here on our website or on our social media channels in the coming weeks leading up to the Klever Birne award ceremony on 11 September 2025 and find out more. Admission to the award ceremony is free of charge, but registration is requested.
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