Sustainability in focus: VISTRA Institute plans change in rural regions!

Sustainability in focus: VISTRA Institute plans change in rural regions!

On August 26, 2025, the VISTRA Institute (Vechta Institute of Sustainability Transformations in Rural Areas) was founded at the University of Vechta. This multidisciplinary research institute aims to promote sustainable change in rural areas. John-Oliver Engler, the institute's deputy director, emphasizes the importance of networking within the region, particularly the impact of the professorship on the local community. At its core is the philosophy of sustainability, defined by the United Nations in 1987 as the development that enables the current generation to meet its needs without compromising the capabilities of future generations.

However, the challenges are great. No country manages to achieve economic and social goals without exceeding planetary boundaries. Therefore, VISTRA has made it its mission not only to conduct research, but also to actively incorporate the findings into political work. Collaboration between science and politics is crucial to master the upcoming transformations.

Research projects and priorities

The institute works on various central topics of sustainable development in rural areas. These include projects such as “Wasservision Vechta”, which examines future-oriented water management, as well as the efficiency of land use in Cloppenburg and Vechta. The interaction between economic power and biodiversity is analyzed.

Another important area is the rewetting of moor sites in cooperation with the Osnabrück district. Such measures are intended to store CO2 and promote biodiversity. The acceptance of sustainable changes in the population and the economy is the focus of the research.

• Wichtige Projekte des VISTRA-Instituts:
• Wassermanagement der Zukunft: „Wasservision Vechta“
• Effizienz der Landnutzung in Cloppenburg und Vechta
• Wiedervernässung von Moorstandorten in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Landkreis Osnabrück

In addition, the institute addresses the challenges that come with transformations, also known as “transformation pains”. Another goal is to promote social justice in decision-making processes in order to defuse land use-specific conflicts.

Interdisciplinary approaches and future perspectives

VISTRA is characterized by its inter- and transdisciplinary orientation, which integrates various specialist disciplines. Members from seven different disciplines work together to find sustainable answers to global challenges. The research is based on the priorities of the University of Vechta and combines basic research with application-oriented projects.

In addition, the transfer of knowledge into practice plays a central role. Current and completed research projects can be viewed on the institute's website, and interactive maps showing the research partnerships are also available. The commitment to education for sustainable development and the transformation of the agricultural and food economy demonstrates the institute's comprehensive efforts to have a lasting impact on rural areas.

By involving actors from science, politics, business and society, the vision of a sustainable future in the region is made concrete. A highlight of the initiative is the funding of eight doctoral researchers who are working intensively on questions of justice in change processes.

Overall, the VISTRA Institute plays a key role in driving the urgently needed change towards sustainability in rural regions and impressively demonstrates how political and scientific cooperation can deliver fruitful results. Further information about the research projects and cooperation partners can be found on the institute's website: University of Vechta and mynewsdesk.