Minister Mona Neubaur tours the Lower Rhine, stopping at Camper Schmiede, the 'Favorite Quarter' initiative, an ice cream shop, and De Kull e.V., during a summer visit.
### Mona Neubaur's Summer Tour Highlights Niederrhein Region's Innovative Transformation
Mona Neubaur, Deputy Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, is currently on a summer tour in the Niederrhein region, Ostwestfalen-Lippe, and the Cologne-Bonn region. The tour, which spans three days, includes visits to Mönchengladbach, Nettetal, and Rheinberg, among other locations.
The Niederrhein economic region, known for its diverse industries including the Rhenish brown coal mining district, the textile and clothing industry, and the agricultural sector, is currently undergoing significant transformation. This transformation, highlighted during Mona Neubaur's summer tour in 2025, focuses on innovation, sustainability, and diversity.
#### Support for Social and Gender Diversity Initiatives
During her visit to Dortmund's Nordstadtliga Queens, Neubaur praised their project aimed at promoting girls' empowerment. This reflects a commitment to social inclusion and fostering diversity in community projects around the region.
#### Promotion of Technological and Sustainable Industrial Innovation
Neubaur emphasized the importance of innovative projects such as the "Textile Factory 7.0" at Hochschule Niederrhein. This project is a milestone for the Rhineland mining area, representing a transformation of the textile industry towards a digital, robotic, and circular economy model. It serves as a practical example of achieving structural change that is sustainable, climate-friendly, and collaborative among business, science, and local authorities.
The project is funded with €25 million from regional and federal ministries, showcasing strong institutional support. It addresses major challenges like digitalization, supply chain resilience, energy security, and skills shortages. Hochshule Niederrhein’s initiative aims to keep young people in the region by offering future-proof jobs and educational opportunities.
#### Commitment to Regional Innovation and Structural Change
Neubaur described these efforts as a "real turning point" or "moment of awakening," signaling the Niederrhein region's shift towards an innovative and sustainable future. This underlines the broader economic development strategy, combining diversity, education, and industry transformation to strengthen the regional economy and social fabric.
The camping market has experienced a boom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mona Neubaur visited Camper Schmiede GmbH in Mönchengladbach, a company specializing in the conversion of transporters into campervans. The ice cream dealers at the most popular ice cream parlor in North Rhine-Westphalia, located on Albertusstraße in Mönchengladbach, produce natural, high-quality ice cream without artificial additives.
The people of the Niederrhein region demonstrate heart and impressive commitment in shaping their own future locally. This is evident through strong companies, innovative projects, and a great will to address current problems and challenges. The "Liebstes Viertel" initiative, a neighborhood project aimed at shaping the public space in the Gründerzeit quarter of Mönchengladbach, is a testament to this commitment. The focus of this initiative is on sustainable neighborhood projects that strengthen proximity and responsibility.
In conclusion, Mona Neubaur's summer tour of the Niederrhein region is a testament to the region's efforts in shaping its own future. The developments in the region underscore the importance of collective action in addressing current problems and challenges, and the Niederrhein region's commitment to diversity, innovation, and sustainability.
Sports play a significant role in the region's transformation, with Mona Neubaur visiting Camper Schmiede GmbH in Mönchengladbach, a company specializing in the conversion of transporters into campervans, showcasing the region's innovative approach to outdoor lifestyle and leisure.
In the realm of food-and-drink, the ice cream dealers at the most popular ice cream parlor in North Rhine-Westphalia produce natural, high-quality ice cream without artificial additives, highlighting the region's dedication to sustainable lifestyle choices.
Back at home-and-garden, the "Liebstes Viertel" initiative aims to shape the public space in the Gründerzeit quarter of Mönchengladbach, focusing on sustainable neighborhood projects that strengthen proximity and responsibility, signifying the region's commitment to relationships and community development.
