The foundation stone has been laid for a forward-looking project. The EU project "Creative digital storytelling for the visibility of SMEs" officially starts with the handover of a funding decision totalling 122,708 euros. This once again places the Ostfalia Media Centre at the centre of regional innovation and transfer processes.
Key role for Ostfalia Media Centre
At the centre of the two-year project is the close integration of science and practice. The media centre plays a key role as a place of learning, research and production. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure for audio and video production and the specialist expertise from the Digital Storytelling degree programme, it offers ideal conditions for providing targeted support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
"The project is an exemplary combination of the skills of the regional business development agencies and the expertise of Ostfalia University," emphasised Dr Ulrike Witt, State Commissioner for Regional Development, at the presentation of the funding decision on site. "The focus on practice-orientated research creates a direct win-win situation for science and SMEs."
A strong digital presence is particularly crucial for SMEs today - whether in the competition for skilled labour or in marketing. However, there is often a lack of resources and expertise. This is precisely where the project comes in: Practical workshops on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, storytelling strategies and mobile video production will be developed and held at the media centre.
Permanent training programme planned
"Our aim is to enable SMEs to tell their own stories professionally and in a channel-appropriate way," explain project managers Melitta Arz and Meike Henkel. "We not only want to impart knowledge, but also create a permanent training programme through accompanying research that is perfectly tailored to the region."
This accompanying research is a central element of the project - and is also based at the media centre. Here, the actual needs of the companies are analysed and directly integrated into the development of the content. Research professor Harald Rau emphasises the particular importance of this approach: "We look directly into the 'engine room' of the companies, identify real needs and develop a coherent concept that is scalable far beyond the region."
Workshops, evaluation, further development
The project is divided into two phases: During the pilot phase in the first year, workshops are held and initial findings are gathered. In the second year, evaluation and further development towards a sustainable qualification programme will follow. The aim is a scientifically sound and at the same time practical solution for knowledge transfer.
The role of the media centre as a central place of innovation is also emphasised by the regional partners. "Digital storytelling is an important tool of our time and can take the online marketing of SMEs to a new level," emphasises Ralf Sygusch from the Zukunftsregion SüdOstNiedersachsen.
At the end of the project period, a permanent further education programme is to be created that will ensure the sustainable transfer of knowledge from Ostfalia to the regional economy. This will establish the media centre not only as a training centre, but also as a strategic hub for digital communication, innovation and regional development.
