KIEL REGION GMBH

Their core work

Kiel Region GmbH is a regional development agency for the Kiel metropolitan area in northern Germany that organizes large-scale science engagement events. Their flagship activity under H2020 is the "Nacht der Wissenschaft" (Night of Science), a recurring public event designed to bring research closer to citizens, especially young people, teachers, and underrepresented groups. They specialize in science communication, non-formal education, and bridging the gap between research institutions and the general public in the Schleswig-Holstein region.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest project (2016-2017) focused on broad science communication targeting young people, with particular attention to gender, careers, refugees, and immigration — reflecting the social context of the European migration crisis. By 2018-2021, the focus matured toward structured educational themes: non-formal education, teacher engagement, mobility, ethics, identity, and sustainability. The trajectory shows a shift from event-based public outreach toward a more deliberate educational inclusion framework.

Moving from one-off public science events toward structured, education-oriented engagement programs with a strong diversity and ethics lens — a useful partner for projects needing responsible public engagement components.

How they like to work

Kiel Region GmbH operates exclusively as a project coordinator in all three H2020 projects, indicating strong initiative and organizational capacity. However, the data shows zero recorded consortium partners, which is consistent with CSA (Coordination and Support Action) grants for European Researchers' Night events that are typically run as single-beneficiary actions. This means they are a capable local organizer rather than a consortium-building hub.

No formal H2020 consortium partners are recorded, as their projects are single-beneficiary Coordination and Support Actions. Their real network likely consists of local universities, schools, and research institutions in the Kiel region that participate in the Night of Science events.

What sets them apart

Kiel Region GmbH brings a rare combination: a regional development agency with proven, repeated experience in EU-funded science engagement — three consecutive funding rounds for the same event format. For consortium builders, they offer ready-made infrastructure for public engagement and responsible research activities (especially Work Package components on dissemination, outreach, or societal impact). Their strength in reaching non-academic audiences — refugees, teachers, young people — is valuable for projects requiring genuine public participation beyond token dissemination.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SCIENCE4FUTURE (2018-2019)
  Largest single grant (EUR 166,750) and represents the most thematically mature edition, introducing ethics, identity, and non-formal education dimensions.
• SCIENCE4FUTURE (2016-2017)
  First funded edition with a distinctive social inclusion angle addressing refugees and immigration alongside standard science communication.