Wanted: Future shapers – Half time for Klever Birne

Ideas wanted for a future-proof and sustainable development of Kleve: The application phase for entering the Klever Birne sustainability award has reached half-time. Interested parties still have almost a month to submit their concepts.

The second round of the Klever Birne has been launched on 1 May, 2024. The sustainability prize, awarded by the city of Kleve and the TransRegINT project at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, honours creative ideas that aim to make Kleve more sustainable and liveable. Sustainability is more than just climate and environmental protection. Just as the United Nations defines it in its 17 sustainability goals. Ideas can be submitted by email to transregint@hochschule-rhein-waal.de until 30 June, 2024. In addition to coaching, the first three prizes and the student prize will receive prize money and a certificate.

How does it work?

The rules of the game are simple: anyone from Kleve and the surrounding area can take part. Be it an individual, club or school class – it’s the idea that counts. The project is to be realised in Kleve. The idea must relate to one of the 17 sustainability goals, i.e. it must have at least one ecological, economic or social aspect. For the sake of clarity, the 17 sustainability goals are listed coherently in the application form in the “Three Pillars of Sustainability”. The application form can be sent in by e-mail until 30 June, 2024.

Not sure yet?

The Klever Birne team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can meet the team members in person every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon at DialogPunkt Kleve, An der Münze 12 in Kleve, during open consultation hours. They encourage you to follow inspirations, spin ideas and be creative. “If you’re unsure whether your idea has potential, talk to us,” says Christina Martens, coordinator at the TransRegINT Interaction Hub, inviting you to exchange ideas. “Just as the fruit blossom turns into fruit like the pear, perhaps your idea can blossom and mature with a little encouragement and encouragement. Any idea that makes Kleve a little more sustainable and therefore more future-proof is worth submitting.”

After the first successful competition in 2023 with more than 20 applications, the city of Kleve and Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences are once again expecting a large number of exciting projects this year that cover the full spectrum of sustainability.

Last year, for instance, the “dida – digital dabei” project from the Protestant church community, which teaches senior citizens how to use smartphones, applied for the award. Mechatronics students from HSRW presented their idea for the production of biodegradable crockery made from the leaves of local trees. And the Tiny houseboat “Anna Spoy” wanted to use an existing solar panel to create a free electric bicycle charging station.