Roughly two years ago, the Essen\/Germany based RAG-Stiftung foundation, RAG AG and Evonik Industries AG collaborated with the IG BCE union, Hanover\/Germany, to launch the \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d project, aiming to wind down the German coal mining industry by the end of 2018. The programme acknowledges the industry\u2019s historical achievements while simultaneously setting a course for the era to come. The interim results are encouraging, as the first set of projects has proved very popular. \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d is growing with impressive momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat started as an joint initiative by the RAG-Stiftung, RAG, Evonik and the IG BCE out of responsibility for the mining regions has become a broad platform for social engagement,\u201d said Werner M\u00fcller, Chair of the RAG-Stiftung Board of Executives, referring to the current progress of \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d at a press conference held at the Zollverein World Heritage Site in Essen at the end of September 2017 (Figure 1).<\/p>\n
The founders launched the initiative in April of last year by inviting all the important players in the German Ruhr to participate and help shape the future of the region. There have been a number of developments since then. Many major bodies have accepted the offer and are playing a role in \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d. Numerous organisations are planning farewell events or taking a hand in the design of the Ruhr\u2019s future. \u201cThose responsible are not simply leaving their homeland to its fate. There is a sense of growing self-confidence in the mining regions. I think this is a great development and I feel optimistic about the future\u201d, said M\u00fcller.<\/p>\n
\u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d began with the RAG-Stiftung\u2019s Future Study. One of the study\u2019s findings was that the Ruhr needs new stimuli in order to break out of its mining base and continue its economic development. Founding start-up companies provides important momentum for doing so. Start-ups act as an innovative, invigorating force in the economy \u2013 exactly what the Gr\u00fcnderallianz Ruhr founder\u2019s alliance is aiming to do. And the founders of \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d and the Initiativkreis Ruhr are working together to make this a reality. The Initiativkreis Ruhr economic alliance has already launched numerous activities designed to promote young companies, including the Gr\u00fcnderfonds Ruhr start-up fund, furnished with 30 m \u20ac of venture capital. \u201cTogether, we want to position the Ruhr as an attractive location for founders. This requires a comprehensive programme of assistance for young start-ups\u201d, explains B\u00e4rbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the RAG-Stiftung Board of Executives.<\/p>\n
As part of the Gr\u00fcnderallianz, the partners are planning to develop a central point of contact in the economy which will aim to keep all the important information, offers and activities in the Ruhr transparent and organised for founders and thereby encourage the growth of the scene in the region. This includes collecting and preparing public data and making it available on a digital platform.<\/p>\n
In addition, a particular concern of \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d is taking the needs of the younger generation into consideration. A number of youth projects have already been successfully completed with this in mind, while others are still to come. One of these was the \u201cHackathon\u201d for the future of the Ruhr, which was held on 18th and 19th November 2017 in the LVR Industrial Museum in Oberhausen. In keeping with the motto \u201c#NextLevelRuhr \u2013 The Hackathon for everyone\u201d, teams had 24 h to develop ideas on how the Ruhr could become more attractive from the perspective of young people. A highly qualified jury will award the best ideas a total of 8,500\u2009\u20ac in prize money.<\/p>\n
The aim of \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d has always been to find the right balance between future development and recognising the German coal mining industry and its achievements. 2018 will therefore see a focus on farewell events. One of the high points of these events will be the historic home game: As a token of their special ties with the mining industry, a selection of football players from the Ruhr will compete against the Polish national team. Polish workers were the first migrant workers in the Ruhr and they made a substantial contribution to Germany\u2019s economic recovery after the Second World War. Footballers with Polish roots have become top players at their clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is particularly important to us that both miners and residents are involved in the \u201cGl\u00fcckauf Zukunft!\u201d programme. It is with this goal in mind that we are holding a large, decentralised festival under the motto and banner of \u201cThanks, miners!\u201d,\u201d explains Bergerhoff-Wodopia. Five RAG sites will therefore be hosting festivals on 3rd November 2018, with various artists from the region set to perform. In addition, a 20-minute compilation from the film \u201cDer lange Abschied von der Kohle\u201d (\u201cThe Long Farewell to Coal\u201d) will be shown. The festivals will end with an extraordinary production which aims to say a very special \u201cThanks, miners\u201d to those who have worked in the industry. Collectively, the five events will provide a reminder of what miners accomplished for people in these mining regions.<\/p>\n