The Ziel ETZ project "Cross-border R&I Network for Energy Efficiency and Combined Heat and Power (CHP)" with project number 53 aims to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Bavarian-Czech border region. Within this international project, OTH Amberg-Weiden is cooperating with the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (UWB) as well as with six SMEs based in Bavaria or the Czech Republic. Following the Czech-Bavarian CHP workshop, the idea for the project application was born in April 2015, which was finally approved one year later. The total project volume amounts to 1.41 million euros, 1.02 million euros of which will be financed by the EU in the funding period from 01.10.16 to 30.09.2019.

Through the cooperation of the renowned University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (UWB) and the OTH Amberg-Weiden, the SMEs will gain access to the basic simulation competences of the university as well as to the practice-oriented development competences and test facilities of the technical university. The employees of the SMEs are to be trained in advanced development processes and procedures so that not only are current products improved and made more cost-effective, but the innovative strength of the SMEs is also strengthened beyond the end of the project.