On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Minister President Sven Schulze will meet with stakeholders involved in structural change and citizens in Hohenmölsen to discuss the current situation, prospects, and areas for action in structural change. The aim is to show where structural change is taking effect and what priorities are being set in the four areas of action: "Economy and Innovation," "Energy Industry and Environment," "Education and Securing Skilled Workers," and "Attractiveness of the Region." The event is being organized by the State Chancellery and the Ministry of Culture. In addition, Minister President Sven Schulze will present a funding approval notice: Around 3.85 million euros from the Coal Regions Investment Act (InvKG) are available for the implementation of the measure "Heinrich Schütz House Weißenfels – renovation in line with monument preservation guidelines and construction of an extension."
Event: "Feeling regional change."
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
Bürgerhaus Hohenmölsen,
Dr.-W.-Friedrich-Straße 2, 06679 Hohenmölsen.
How can we turn structural change into a real opportunity for the future? That is the key question of the first part of the event. Prime Minister Sven Schulze will discuss the key topics of science and innovation, energy management, and the environment with Karsten Schwarz, coordinator of the innovation region for digital transformation in nursing and healthcare, Mario Arnold, managing director of Stadtwerke Hettstedt, Cornelia Müller-Pagel, project manager of the Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park, and Stefan Kipfelsberger, head of the Structural Change in Central Germany Department at the State Chancellery and Ministry of Culture. The discussion will be moderated by MDR journalist Sarah von Neuburg.
What makes the region worth living in? A second round will focus on this question. State Secretary Dr. Jürgen Ude will discuss education, securing skilled workers, and issues relating to the attractiveness of the region with André Zschuckelt, Managing Director of SEWIG in the Burgenlandkreis district, Uwe Treskow, head of the Mansfeld-Südharz district's own rescue service, where the REGENT project is creating two medical health and emergency centers in Hettstedt and Sangerhausen, and Susann Schult, managing director of the Central German Education Center in Bitterfeld-Wolfen.
A science slam brings science to the stage. Young researchers present their projects, explaining complex topics in a clear and entertaining way. Among other things, they discuss the idea of creating a library of potential raw materials that can be obtained from residual and waste materials using fungi.
The event will kick off with an exhibition entitled "Market of Opportunities," where the project sponsors will present their work and results to the public starting at 9:00 a.m. The event will be framed by the action weeks, which the actors in structural change are organizing together.
Background:
The German federal government is providing €4.8 billion for structural change in the Central German mining region in Saxony-Anhalt alone. While around €3.2 billion is earmarked for federal and state projects in the so-called federal arm, the five regional authorities are responsible for selecting projects in the €1.6 billion state arm. Of this, more than €1 billion in federal funds has already been approved for new projects, including around €511 million in 2025 alone.