Business Success and Social Responsibility – Not a Contradiction
How can companies achieve economic success while making a positive contribution to society? This is not a rhetorical question – it is one of the central entrepreneurial challenges of our time. That was precisely the focus of the expert conference “Building a Sustainable Future: Social Innovations as a Competitive Advantage” on 7 July 2026 in Beelitz-Heilstätten, hosted by the Centre of Competence for Social Entrepreneurship in Brandenburg (Kompetenzzentrum für Soziales Unternehmertum in Brandenburg) together with the community network Schule & Wirtschaftsforum Potsdam-Mittelmark.
The message of the day was clear: “Business success and social responsibility complement each other and should always be considered together”.
Insights, Best Practices and a Strong Programme
Following the welcome address by Dr. Christoph Löwer (Deputy District Administrator, Potsdam-Mittelmark), Marion Muschert (Potsdam-Mittelmark District) moderated a diverse programme of practical insights:
- Stefanie Peter and Claudia Richardt (Centre of Competence for Social Entrepreneurship in Brandenburg) demonstrated how social engagement becomes a driver of business success – with best practices from Brandenburg.
- Pierre Hanitsch (WFBB) provided information on funding opportunities for social enterprises in Brandenburg.
- Kiara Sobina (Enterprise Start-up Centre) offered valuable insights into the process of “Founding with Impact”.
- Peter Sänger, our co-founder and CEO, presented Green City Solutions as a best-practice example of social entrepreneurship – sharing how we successfully combine ecological impact with business success through our high-performance bio-air filtration technology based on moss.
Green Innovation as Lived Social Entrepreneurship
For us at Green City Solutions, this conference reaffirms what we work towards every day: Developing nature based solutions that not only deliver measurable improvements to urban air quality and climate resilience, but are also economically viable and scalable. Our bio-air filters – delivering the effect of up to 81 trees within just 9 m² – are a prime example of this approach: Ecological innovation that creates genuine added value for businesses and cities alike.
Networking for the Economy of Tomorrow
Networking for the Economy of Tomorrow
The programme concluded with a lively marketplace format: regional stakeholders from economic development, social enterprises and local businesses came together to exchange ideas and establish new connections.
We would like to thank the Kompetenzzentrum für Soziales Unternehmertum in Brandenburg and the TGZ Potsdam-Mittelmark for the invitation and the excellent collaboration – and all participants for the enriching exchange.
Ready to think ecological innovation and business success together?
