Focus on Future-Oriented Industries: DBI Secures 9.9 Million Euros in Funding for Duisburg and the Lower Rhine Region
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“These projects vividly demonstrate how Duisburg is evolving as an industrial hub—
innovative, connected, and sustainable.”
DBI Secures 9.9 Million Euros in Funding for the Lower Rhine Region
Collaboration with universities strengthens the transfer of knowledge and technology
Focus on Artificial Intelligence, the Circular Economy, and Workforce Training
Duisburg, June 2, 2025. Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH (DBI), in collaboration with regional stakeholders:innen, has been awarded funding for the projects “AI for SMEs” and “Circular NiederRhein” under the “Regio.NRW” funding call issued by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
“We want to effectively support regional knowledge and technology transfer through innovative projects,” explains DBI Managing Director Rasmus C. Beck. Mayor Sören Link, who also serves as chairman of the DBI’s supervisory board, is equally pleased: “We need these future-oriented industries to make our economy more diversified and resilient to crises.”
In the “AI for SMEs” project (budget: 1.9 million euros), small and medium-sized enterprises learn in a practical way how they can become more efficient and successful through the use of artificial intelligence. Participating partners:innen include the University of Duisburg-Essen, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Arnhem and Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences, the Kleve District Economic Development Agency, the Wesel District, and the DBI.
The “Circular NiederRhein” project (budget: 2.1 million euros) brings together experts:innen from Germany and the Netherlands to strengthen the circular economy. Participating partners:innen include the University of Duisburg-Essen, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, the company Regenalyze, as well as, once again, the DBI, the Kleve District Economic Development Agency, and the Wesel District.
Earlier this year, DBI secured funding commitments for two additional EU projects:
- “DU.Zirkulär” (4.4 million euros): Model concepts for a circular economy are being developed in Duisburg-Ruhrort.
- “Skills for the Future” (1.5 million euros): In collaboration with six European cities, we are further developing skills for modern work environments.
This year alone, the total funding secured under DBI’s leadership amounts to 9.9 million euros—a significant boost to economic development in Duisburg and the Lower Rhine region.
