On the way to the "Green Economy": Münsterland Regional Agency advises companies as part of its potential and transformation consultancy service

Exploiting potential to remain competitive: This is the goal of the NRW Potential Advisory Service. The practical support offer for companies and their employees has proven itself many times over. Since 1 July, the offer has been supplemented by transformation advice on the topic of "Green Economy". It is intended to support companies in climate- and environmentally friendly management. The Münsterland Regional Agency, based at Münsterland e.V., is qualified as an initial advisory centre. It conducts the consultations and also helps the companies to apply for the funding.

The NRW Potential Advisory Service is aimed at companies that want to face new challenges head-on and actively involve their employees in necessary operational change processes. The aim is to secure the future competitiveness and employment of the employees. "Together with the staff, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of the company as part of the counselling," explains Julia Roesler, head of the Münsterland Regional Agency at Münsterland e.V. "From this, we then develop custom-fit, company-specific solutions." The potential counselling comprises a maximum of eight counselling days. In order for companies and staff to overcome their often existing scepticism about change, an additional two days of so-called new start counselling can be funded.

As of 1 July, the EU and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia will also fund so-called transformation counselling with a focus on the "Green Economy" in addition to potential counselling. The funding offer is intended to support companies in strategically developing in the direction of a climate and environmentally friendly economy. The advisory service is based on the tried and tested methods of the potential advisory service and necessarily involves the company's employees. "The aim of the advisory service is to select the right measures and at the same time to identify the training needs of the employees. This requires a strategic approach," says Roesler. A maximum of twelve counselling days can be taken up within the framework of the funding offer.

As the initial counselling centre, the Münsterland Regional Agency checks the eligibility requirements of the companies and can then issue a counselling cheque for the responsible district government. Other initial advice centres are the business development agencies of the Münsterland districts and the cities of Münster and Bocholt, the North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Münster Chamber of Crafts. Contact details for the respective contact person can be found at www.mags.de/potentialberatung. The funding offers "Potential Consultancy" and "Transformation Consultancy" are aimed at companies, including non-profit organisations, with workplaces in North Rhine-Westphalia with at least 10 employees. The funding amount is 40 percent of the consulting costs with a maximum of 400 euros per consulting day. Further information on the funding opportunities and advisory services is available at www.muensterland.com/arbeit.