17
Jul
2025
The new committee was established by the state government with the brief to apply a holistic approach to strategic development of the state’s innovation system. The council members began their work with their first meeting at the beginning of July.
In times of far-reaching ecological, economic, and social change, the council is tasked with developing concrete recommendations for action that support effective and coherent innovation policies and practice. The focus is on a broad understanding of innovation, ranging from technological developments and new business models to social and cultural innovations. The final report is expected in the third quarter of 2026.
The members – eleven internationally experienced personalities drawn from the fields of research, business and society – bring external perspectives to the table. They are supported by a sounding board comprising various stakeholders from Lower Saxony.
The overarching goal is to create a dynamic, networked and impact-oriented innovation ecosystem designed to revitalise traditional sectors such as mobility, energy, and agriculture. At the same time tap new areas of value creation, such as biotechnology, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, circular economy, and health research.
The Innovation Council thus contributes to implementing the guidelines formulated in the Agenda for the Future of Lower Saxony: namely, transformation, digitalisation, and cutting-edge research as strategic factors for advancing a sustainable and innovative regional economy. The council meets twice a year in Hanover and is supported by an office that has been set up at the Volkswagen Foundation. You can read more about the members, the council’s objectives, and areas of action here.
