The universities of Oldenburg and Groningen have collaborated in research and teaching for over 40 years. In the joint Roadmap for Cooperation 2020-2030, they committed to further expanding and deepening their co-operation in knowledge and technology transfer. Since 2022, the two universities have also been working to promote transfer in rural areas.

In order to strengthen the innovative potential of rural regions, the universities of Oldenburg and Groningen, together with the town of Papenburg and the Joint Municipality of Dörpen, are working to foster exchange between science, business, society, politics and culture. The Papenburg-Dörpen border region therefore serves as a pilot region and Living Lab.

The aim of this cooperation is the mutual transfer of knowledge and technology, as well as the promotion of innovation in the pilot region and development of the area. At the same time, ideas from the region are gathered and integrated into scientific research. 

The focus of the pilot project in Papenburg is on digitalisation, energy, health, and sustainability.