10.3 billion euros of federal funding and several hundred million euros of state funding have been allocated to support the structural transformation of the Lusatian coal district in Brandenburg. But are the projects targeted by this funding putting the region on course for a sustainable future? A study by RIFS researchers casts doubt on the outlook. On the ground in Lusatia, even goals that are anchored in Germany’s National Sustainable Development Strategy appear to play only a marginal role in decision-making. To turn this around, the researchers argue, ministries will need to place more emphasis on sustainability and work together to allocate funding appropriately.