For the sixth time, “Germany - Land der Ideen”, together with the Rheinische Post and the General-Anzeiger Bonn under the patronage of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, is calling for the “NRW – Wirtschaft im Wandel” competition. The competition is aimed at companies in NRW that are setting a particularly good example in matters such as digitalization and globalization. Regardless of whether it is a large corporation, a small family business or a start-up, the hosts are looking for committed companies that are actively shaping the economic transformation process in NRW.
Applications can be submitted online at rp-media.de/nrw-wirtschaft-im-wandel until July 1, 2024.
Investing in the future
Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia and patron of the competition: “North Rhine-Westphalia needs an economy in transition, because it is innovative companies that find answers to challenges such as climate change and the digital transformation. Only new and further developed products can remain competitive on the global markets in the long term. As the state government, we are supporting companies in this transformation. Structurally, by consistently improving their framework conditions. Financially, by supporting their investments through funding programs. Ideally, by recognizing their efforts and paying tribute to them. North Rhine-Westphalia has many companies that are tackling the transformation with courage and determination and that really deserve this award."
The prize is awarded in three categories: Corporations and SMEs, skilled trades and small businesses and start-ups. In addition, the special “NRW-Wandler” prize is awarded to an outstanding personality from North Rhine-Westphalia who has distinguished themselves through special entrepreneurial and social achievements.
A high-caliber jury of experts with representatives from politics, business, science and society selects the award winners. The selected companies will be honored at an awards ceremony in autumn 2024.
An award for structural change
Where once smoking chimneys and gray colliery settlements dominated the image of Germany's economic core region, a modern and diverse business location has been developing for decades. The ongoing structural change of companies in all sectors demands and promotes creative corporate strategies, the use of new technologies and the dynamic adaptation of production conditions. This creativity is made transparent by the “NRW - Economy in Transition” competition and is intended to inspire imitation. Partners of the competition are Deutsche Bank, the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the personnel consultancy Egon Zehnder, Zurich Versicherung and the energy group RWE.
Ideas are Germany's most valuable raw material, a guarantee for a future worth living. That is why the “Germany - Land of Ideas” initiative is looking for good ideas and the people who put them into practice. It makes them visible, recognizes them and networks them. Through encounters and networking, the initiative creates a climate in which ideas become innovations.
