Organisation overview

The European Union identifies the transition to a circular economy as essential for ecological and economic sustainability. Achieving this transition requires new regional hubs that connect materials, resources, and people—forming vibrant circular systems. In Southern Burgenland, OpenLandLAB, a Makerspace/FabLab/OpenEcoLab, fulfills this role. As part of the global FabLab network—linking over 50 Fab Cities and Fab Regions worldwide—we established the FAB Region South Burgenland in 2022, marking the start of a new phase in regional innovation. South Burgenland encompasses 72 municipalities. Since 2017, OpenLandLAB has operated as a non-profit association in cooperation with Forschung Burgenland (University of Applied Sciences), implementing forward-looking projects for rural development. Through international collaboration within the FabLab network and the Fab City Global Initiative (FCGI), we promote sustainable and innovative solutions that align with the Fab City vision of locally networked and regenerative production. In 2025, we launched the “Wakeup Fab Region South Burgenland” initiative—a collaborative idea-generation process designed to position the region as a pioneer of the circular economy and regenerative local production. Inspired by Rem Koolhaas’ statement, “The countryside is the place of radical change,” we aim to harness the region’s potential uncovered through extensive research in recent months. Our goal is to cultivate new innovation hubs and redefine the region’s identity around local, sustainable production. While sustainability seeks to minimize harm and preserve balance, regenerative approaches actively restore, revitalize, and enhance local ecosystems, communities, and economies. The project supports the creation of new Fab City Hubs (FCHs) and Creative Production Hubs (CPHs)—a regional network for creative, low-impact, and circular production. These hubs act as catalysts for innovation, education, and lifelong learning. By integrating digital technologies and participatory approaches, we aim to strengthen energy efficiency, regional connectivity, and community resilience, empowering rural areas to lead the next industrial revolution. Whether through microfactories, digital integration, or hackathon-based idea processes, our goal is clear: decentralize production and empower communities. With the “Wakeup Fab Region South Burgenland,” we are setting the foundation for rural regions to become engines of regenerative innovation—living by the principle, “Think global, act local.”