Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Global Digital Transformation
The Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Global Digital Transformation (SET) research group has set itself the goal of addressing issues relating to digitalisation, particularly in the global South. Through the inclusion of social needs and effective stakeholder communication; future-oriented, sustainable and locally sensitive approaches will be developed in ten countries. With a particular focus on the topics of entrepreneurship, the future of work, and issues of AI in connection with sustainability and climate protection, HIIG is working with local stakeholders to build application-oriented expertise. This will be made usable across countries and contribute to building an international knowledge community. The exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of cooperation between different countries is intended to support sustainable digitalisation that is appropriate to local conditions.
Research focus
Thematically, two focal points have been set, and will be worked on within the framework of research sprints, studies and case studies.
 | Digitalisation and EntrepreneurshipThis research project examines sustainable digital entrepreneurship, the gig economy and the future of work. Here, the focus is on regulating platforms and strengthening workers' rights in the digital space. |
 | Digitalisation and ClimateThis research project focuses on ecological sustainability and climate resilience. It not only questions how the digital economy can be made climate neutral, but also participates in the development of digital solutions to existing climate issues. |
Knowledge communication
Throughout the research process, there is a regular exchange with the relevant local stakeholders. The results are prepared in such a way that they can be used by a broad target group and are available in the long term.
 | Multi-stakeholder dialogues & transfer eventsInnovative event formats are used to capture relevant stakeholder perspectives and relate them to each other. In particular, local networks including the Network of Centers and the Digital Transformation Centers (DTCs) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are integrated. |
 | Knowledge databaseBy establishing a knowledge database, best practices can be recorded and made available to interested parties. |
Entrepreneurship & innovation · Science communicationDigitalisation and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
The Digitalisation and Entrepreneurship project explores sustainable digital entrepreneurship, the gig economy and the future of work.
Entrepreneurship & innovation · Science communicationDigitalisation and Climate
The project Digitalisation and Climate examines the economic, ecological & social dimensions of a sustainable digital economy.
Ann-Kristin ZiesemerStudent Assistant: Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Society
Christian GrauvogelHead of Dialogue & Knowledge Transfer | Project Coordinator SET
Fabian Stephany, Dr.Researcher: Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Society
Georg von Richthofen, Dr.Senior Researcher & Project Lead: Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Society
Marie BlümlResearcher: Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship & Climate
Moritz TimmResearcher & Project Coordinator
Lectures and presentations
The impact of digitalisation on citiesPlacemaking Week Europe. Teucro, Pontevedra, Spain: 30.09.2022
Christian Grauvogel
How to build a database (?)HIIG Lunch Talks (Session: HIIG Lunch Talk). Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society. Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Berlin, Germany: 20.04.2022
Moritz Timm
Panels
Physical places for digital innovationPlacemaking Week Europe. Campás, Pontevedra, Spain: 28.09.2022
Christian Grauvogel
Moderation of workshops and panels
How to Transition Temporary Use into Long-Term DevelopmentPlacemaking Week Europe. Museo, Pontevedra, Spain: 28.09.2022
Christian Grauvogel
Organisation of events
Multi-stakeholder dialogue: Digital technology for rainforest protection13.12.2022. TBD, Jakarta, Indonesien (International)
Stephan Bohn, Christian Grauvogel, Moritz Timm
Panel discussion: Digital technology for rainforest protection13.12.2022. TBD, Jakarta, Indonesien (International)
Stephan Bohn, Christian Grauvogel, Moritz Timm
Multi-stakeholder dialogue: Challenges and Opportunities of Green Entrepreneurship for Climate Change in VietnamGreen Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE). 30.11.2022. THISO SkyHall, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (International)
Georg von Richthofen, Christian Grauvogel, Moritz Timm
Panel discussion: Green Technology, Entrepreneurship & ClimateGreen Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE). 30.11.2022. THISO SkyHall, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (International)
Georg von Richthofen, Christian Grauvogel, Moritz Timm
Green technologies: Opportunities and challenges for sustainable digitalisation working for climate25.11.2022. Goethe-Institut Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam (International)
Georg von Richthofen, Christian Grauvogel, Moritz Timm
Panel discussion: Workers’ Rights and Platforms’ Responsibility – Towards a Fairer Online Platform Economy in Kenya09.11.2022. PrideInn Azure Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya (International) Further information
Marie Blüml, Fabian Stephany, Moritz Timm
Research sprint: Green Technology, Entrepreneurship & ClimateFrom 11.10.2022 to 30.11.2022. online, Hanoi, Vietnam (International)
Katja Derichs, Ann-Kristin Ziesemer, Georg von Richthofen, Christian Grauvogel, Moritz Timm
Public presentation: Study on the sustainable spatial transformation of the Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren05.10.2022. Innovation and Training Park Prizren, Prizren, Kosovo. Co-Organised by: Octagon Architekturkollektiv (International) Further information
Christian Grauvogel
Panel discussion: The future of online labour markets and regulation of the platform economy26.07.2022. Marriott Hotel, Accra, Ghana (International) Further information
Marie Blüml, Fabian Stephany, Christian Grauvogel
Multi-stakeholder dialogue: Governing a polarised market – Policies towards fairer online gig-work25.07.2022. Marriott Hotel, Accra, Ghana (International)
Marie Blüml, Fabian Stephany, Christian Grauvogel
Panel discussion: AI for Social Good? Chances And Risks Of Applying AI In Sustainable Entrepreneurship07.07.2022. Palais des Congrès, Cotonou, Benin (International) Further information
Georg von Richthofen, Marie Blüml, Christian Grauvogel
Multi-stakeholder dialogue: Sustainable Digital Entrepreneurship in Benin and Francophone West and Central Africa06.07.2022. Golden Tulip Hotel, Cotonou, Benin (International) Further information
Georg von Richthofen, Marie Blüml, Christian Grauvogel
Meeting: Ethics of digitalisation, African sovereignty and the role of journalismFrom 23.06.2022 to 24.06.2022. Humboldt Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft, Berlin, Germany (International)
Moritz Timm
Multi-stakeholder dialogue: Sustainable and adaptable transformation of the Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren01.06.2022. Innovation and Training Park (ITP), Prizren, Kosovo. Co-Organised by: Octagon Architekturkollektiv (International)
Christian Grauvogel
Research sprint: Sustainable Digital EconomiesFrom 31.05.2022 to 27.07.2022. online, Accra, Ghana (International)
Katja Derichs, Ann-Kristin Ziesemer, Fabian Braesemann, Marie Blüml, Fabian Stephany, Christian Grauvogel, Moritz Timm
Funding & duration
"Sustainability, entrepreneurship and global digital transformation" is part of the overarching project in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). HIIG supports the BMZ's Digital Transformation Centers (DTCs) as a scientific partner and carries out exchange and research formats in partner countries.
November 2021 – April 2023
Funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
