Strategy and organisational development in Georgia and Italy
For decades, the term "globalisation" was associated with expectations of a more united, economically successful and peaceful world community. These hopes have, at least in part, been dashed. The trend in many countries in recent years has been back to protectionism, autocratisation and, sadly, with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, back to imperialism. In short, today's world is more complex and confusing than ever.
In this field of tension, DLR Projektträger has for many years seen itself as a reliable and neutral partner as well as a strategic advisor for research and innovation policy at state, federal and EU level – and, with its international contacts and experience, beyond. But it is not only political actors who benefit from our many years of expertise. We are also helping a growing number of science and innovation organisations to achieve clear direction and positioning, to develop renewal strategies and to design and implement appropriate business processes.
Georgia – Developing an internationalisation strategy for a funding organisation
The war of aggression against Ukraine has also aroused fears in Georgia of a renewed invasion by Russian troops. As a result, efforts to bring the country closer to the EU are being pursued at various levels – including in the field of education and research. One measure contributing to this is a so-called "twinning" project that the European Commission has launched with Georgia. It has commissioned an international consortium from Austria, Latvia and Germany to carry out the project; DLR Projektträger is on board on the German side on behalf of the BMBF. The aim is to improve the processes and programmes of the funding organisation "Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia" together with the Georgian partners. In particular, the project will help to improve the weakly developed relations between science and industry in Georgia and to facilitate cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary research projects.
It is not only policy-makers who benefit from our many years of expertise. We are also helping a growing number of science and innovation organisations achieve clear direction and positioning, develop renewal strategies, and design and implement appropriate business processes.
Together with the other consortium partners, DLR Projektträger is also contributing its strategic expertise to the development of an internationalisation strategy for the Georgian funding organisation. Georgia will benefit from German research policy know-how, while DLR Projektträger and the BMBF will be able to deepen their knowledge of research policy developments in Georgia and the Eastern Partnership region as a whole.
Villa Vigoni: Future strategy for a German-Italian centre
The German-Italian Centre for European Dialogue "Villa Vigoni" is also being supported by DLR Projektträger in its strategic reorientation. The association, which promotes binational cooperation in the fields of culture, art and science, organises scientific seminars, doctoral and fellowship programmes, most of which take place in the property it uses on Lake Como. Its members include renowned personalities from science, business, politics and society. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which funds the association on the German side, DLR Projektträger has been supporting the Ministry in a strategy process to make Villa Vigoni fit for the future in economic, organisational and thematic terms, and to make it more attractive for young people in particular. Concrete results include optimised financial management, regular performance reviews, new digital event formats and the introduction of a membership scheme specifically designed for young people.
In addition, Villa Vigoni directly commissioned DLR Projektträger for the first time in 2022 – with organisational development consultancy services. The question was how the desired strategic change could be implemented throughout the institution. DLR Projektträger developed and implemented a customised coaching and training programme in which the Villa Vigoni management team developed solutions for involving all employees in the renewal process. The focus was on the particular challenges of a meeting place that brings together people of different nationalities and mother tongues.