The group included executives from EDIH NEB, Support4SME Regional Development Agency and Liberec University of Technology. The focus was on the exchange of technologies, the discussion of joint projects and the presentation of the latest digital innovations.

Coordinated by Jiří Vojtěch and Marketa Rous, the delegation come to visited us at the model factory at the Brandenburgische Technical University of Cottbus. Together with our experts, they explored areas such as AI applications, IoT solutions and automated processes. One of the highlights was the visit to the Deutsche Bahn facilities in Cottbus, which left a strong impression.

We would like to thank the Lausitz Science Park for their presentation of the extraordinary project and to Neues Werk Deutsche Bahn for the insightful guided tour through its facilities. We look forward to future collaborations triggered by this exchange and look forward to the invitation to the Czech Republic!

Digital accessibility enables all people – including people with disabilities and the elderly – to use websites. This not only creates accessibility, but also opens up new target groups and improves usability and search engine optimization (SEO).

What does the Accessibility Enhancement Act mean for SMEs?

The Accessibility Enhancement Act comes into force on 28 June 2025 and is the German implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which sets uniform rules for accessibility throughout Europe. For SMEs, the central question arises: Am I affected?
The answer depends on the size of the company. Klformer companies with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of no more than 2 million euros that offer services are exempt from the requirements [2]. However, this exception does not apply to micro-enterprises that producethese must still meet the accessibility requirements [3].

Medium-sized companies with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover of less than 10 million euros canapply for exemptions if the implementation is disproportionately burdensome. The law particularly affects online shops, booking portals and websites with contact forums [2].

What are the consequences of non-compliance?
Failure to comply with the request could result in fines of up to 100,000 euros in the worst case [4]. SMEs should therefore analyse their digital offerings in a timely manner and make them barrier-free.

Who andWhat is specifically affected?

Accessibility means, for example, that texts and backgrounds have sufficient contrast and that your website can be navigated without a mouse. Web pages "can be found in the usual way, without any particular difficulty and, in principle, without external help,be accessible and usable ". [5] The barrier-free design also includes a publicly accessible "declaration on accessibility" on the website [1]. The following digital products and services must be accessible from 28 June 2025:

• Products: Computers, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, self-service terminals (such as ATMs, ticketing and check-in machines), televisions with internet access, routers and e-book readers

• Services: Websites with interactive elements (online shops, contact forms, newslettersapplications, chatbots), telephone services, e-book services, messenger services, apps for national passenger traffic, digital banking services and e-commerce

The implementation is based on four criteria: perceptibility (e.g. customizable text sizes), usability (e.g. keyboard navigation), comprehensibility (e.g. easy speech) andtechnical robustness for assistive technologies.

Manufacturers must prepare technical documentation, carry out conformity assessment procedures and affix CE markings. Service providers, on the other hand, must describe in their terms and conditions how their offers meet the accessibility requirements.

The Digital Europe programme (DIGITAL) is a new EU funding programme that focuses on the provision of digital technologies to businesses, citizens and public administrations, thus helping to shape and promote the digital transformation of Europe's economies and societies.

Sören Nübel from the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and State Modernisation (BMDS) explains the funding spectrum of the programme.

In addition, Henrike Homeyer from BTU Cottbus will introduce you to the European Digital Innovation Hub in Brandenburg - the EDIH pro_digital -, the small and medium-sized enterprisein Brandenburg during the digital transformation.
It offers digital skills development and training, test environments for new technologies, advice on financing for digital innovations, AI applications and Internet security, innovation strategies for sustainable growth.

We offer this workshop live as part of the FörderForum and the STAR*PARADE 2025 offers in Großräschen.

AI in social media marketing
How do you turn a good idea into an effective social media post – without losing hours? In this workshop, we will show how Artificial Intelligence supports startups to make their online communication more efficient and creative. Whether texts, images or posting strategies: AI tools offer new ways to get in touch with your own target group, to use trends and to make your own brand visible.

Contents of the workshop:

• Social media platforms at a glance
• Trends: Guerrilla Marketing, Live-Shopping, social SEO
• AI tools for social media
• AI-powered editorial plan: from initial impulse to finished post
• Legal notices

Ideal for founders and young teams who want to take their social media strategy to the next level – practical, compact and with aha moments.

On the FörderForum we will also be represented and look forward to a lively exchange.

Content

• What does the EU AI Act mean specifically for SMEs and their day-to-day work?
• What are the opportunities and risks of the EU AI Act for innovation and growth in SMEs?
• What obligations must you have in the future when using ChatGPT
• Experience AI up close in practice, live at Wildauer Smart Production

Blended

learning

• Take advantage of the interlinking of e-learning and face-to-face meetings
• Free allocation of time from 14 to 16 July 2025 for the online sessions (approx. 3 hours)
• Write down your questions and key insights
• Bring youre Notes for the face-to-face meeting on 17.07.2025 (approx. 9:30 am-3:30 pm)
• Max. 12 participants for intensive exchange and best learning success

Objective

• You understand the key provisions of the EU AI Act and its implications.​
• You will learn how to implement the requirements of the EU AI Act in your company.​
• You will receivepractical and profitable impulses for the use of AI.

Target group

• Responsible and interested parties from SMEs in Brandenburg who work with AI tools or want to work in the future​
• Employees from commercial areas, e.g. accounting, human resources, purchasing, sales, IT, marketing, controlling
• There are no prefixesskills necessary

Login

Participation is free of charge for Brandenburg SMEs thanks to funding, but requires prior registration. Secure your place by 07/10/2025.

In many rural regions of Brandenburg, access to medical care is limited. Few health centers, low physician coverage and long waiting times for specialist appointments make it difficult to adequately address women's specific health needs. On Women's Health Day, we take a look at how artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve care and support women in underserved areas in particular.

1️ Why is data quality the key to reliable AI development and care?

The basis of any powerful AI application lies in the quality and composition of the underlying data, as Nathalie Becker, a doctor in further training in internal medicine at Münster University Hospital, emphasizes in the article in the Ärzteblatt. Medical research has been suffering from a gender data gap for years. Algorithms based on male-biased data reproduce biases and lead to inaccurate diagnoses for women. A fair data basis is essential in order to make AI-supported treatments reliable.

With strong data that takes into account all demographic groups and sensitive and legally compliant handling, fair and effective patient care can be ensured. Especially in rural regions such as Brandenburg, digital health tools can be put to good use and improve care.

Dr. Carina Vorisek - Digital Health

Ärzteblatt - KI als große Chance

2️ Digital tools for better healthcare

Early breast cancer detection with AI: start-ups such as Mypectus rely on precise algorithms to detect tumors. Mypectus rely on precise algorithms to detect tumours. Mypectus

App-based menstrual tracking: GDPR-compliant applications such as Euki and Drip help women monitor their cycles and detect health abnormalities.

The best menstrual apps that care about privacy

AI-powered knowledge about menopause: The Caria app uses an AI chatbot that supports women with targeted information and individual advice.

Feel good during menopause? These apps will help you

3️How can AI help? 

AI can optimize targeted diagnoses, create personalized treatment plans and enable individual preventive measures. Especially in rural areas, AI offers an opportunity to close gaps in care and make it easier for women to access high-quality medical information.

The digitalization of women's health starts now! On Women's Health Day, we are committed to focusing on basic gender-specific needs in healthcare. AI is playing an increasingly important role in this. With strong data that takes into account all demographic groups, sensitive and legally compliant handling, equitable and effective patient care can be ensured.

The future of women's health looks bright as AI continues to be developed and used in various areas to improve quality of life and efficiency. Take advantage of these opportunities to best manage your health and enhance your well-being. Find out more about AI applications, join our network, and learn how digitalization can change healthcare for good.

What to expect?
This workshop offers you a comprehensive overview of the funding structure and guides you step by step through the application process. Learn how to turn your idea into a project, find the right funding program and the right call for proposals, form suitable partners and consortia, calculate the budget and plan the entire application process. You will also receive valuable tips and tricks to make the application process efficient and successful.

Advantages:

Success increase: Obtain funding with high-quality and convincing applications.

Exchange: This is your opportunity to share valuable experiences.

Tips: Get expert knowledge to avoid common application mistakes.

Insights: Save time and resources, gain more efficiency.

Perspective: Integrate funding projects into your long-term planning.

Use this opportunity to expand your knowledge and prepare yourself optimally for the application process. We look forward to your participation!
 

Companies worldwide are increasingly relying on AI to optimize their processes and meet the challenges of digital transformation. In Europe, the path for innovative AI use through advanced regulations and a growing range of support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is particularly exciting. But what opportunities doeset this change and what strategic paths can SMEs take now?

1. The Opportunities for SMEs in the AI Era

Despite these challenges, there are numerous opportunities for SMEs in Europe:

Trust through regulation: The clear and structured legal framework of the AI Act creates transparency and trust. Theclarity can be used by SMEs to develop products that are considered safe and responsible internationally. Particularly important is the potential CE marking for AI products, which stands out as a seal of quality in global competition.

Ethics and human-centered AI: In Europe, the focus is strongly on ethical and human-centered AI.responsible AI. SMEs can use this focus to position themselves as pioneers and offer principles such as fairness and transparency through innovative, socially responsible products and services.

Support programmes and funding opportunities: The EU provides support through programmes such as Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and EICAccelerator. These can help SMEs finance their AI projects and develop innovative solutions. In addition, there are the European Digital Innovation Hubs and AI Centers as a starting point for questions about AI applications and digitization topics.

niche markets and tailor-madee Solutions: There are great opportunities, especially in the area of specialised AI applications. Thanks to their flexibility and agility, SMEs can quickly develop solutions that meet specific needs. This opens up enormous potential, especially in areas such as agricultural technology, healthcare or sustainability.

Brandenburger Landpartie goes into the next round! On the second day, the focus will be on the connection between artificial intelligence and the creative industries. How can artificial intelligence support creative processes? What new ways of working are created as a result? This meeting brings together experts and interested parties to discuss specific applicationsand to get into conversation with each other. An opportunity to get to know AI from a new perspective.

The event is a cooperation between the ICT, Media and Creative Industries Cluster, the AI network NET4AI and the TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH. The costs of the event will be borne by the cooperation partners for you. In order to enable as many interested parties as possible to participate, the event will be held hybrid.

A review of day 1 of the country outing on the topic of "AI & Agriculture" on May 6 in Nauen can be found in the video on the WFBB YouTube channel.