Krakòw and Vienna sound out EU projects

A delegation from Krakau visited the Austrian capital on 7 July 2023 to explore joint opportunities for sustainable urban development using EU funds.

In the long term, cities will only be able to solve future issues such as the climate crisis together. Representatives of the Krakòw Municipal Holding (KHK) and experts from the City of Vienna have now tried to find out which projects will be possible for large European cities with the help of the EU.

The Austrian capital and Krakòw, Poland's second largest city, can look back on a lively partnership for more than two decades. In 2021, the mayors of both cities renewed their successful cooperation agreement to further promote the transfer of know-how in areas such as climate protection. There are cooperation agreements between KHK and Wien Holding and between KHK and Vienna Public Utilities (Wiener Stadtwerke). Based on these agreements, a two-person KHK delegation visited the Austrian capital on 7 July 2023 to explore joint opportunities for sustainable urban development using EU funds.

EU funding for green urbanism

Possibilities for cooperation on EU projects, which could also make KHK's services climate-friendly, were discussed with experts from Vienna Public Utilities. During the exchange of know-how and practice examples, Vienna Public Utilities focused on the activities of its Competence Centre for EU Funding Management.

Within the framework of the European Green Deal, the EU offers different frameworks in which green projects can be applied for. For example, the European Urban Initiative "Greening Cities" has been approving budgets for innovation and urban projects to fight climate change and pollution since May 2023. Horizon Europe, the EU's current research framework programme until 2027, also has a dedicated branch to promote energy-efficient mobility.

Exchange at WH Media and UIV

Participants from Krakòw discussed with content agency WH Media, among other things, possible cooperation regarding the Culture and Media Funding and the use of artificial intelligence. Finally, the delegation met with experts from UIV Urban Innovation Vienna, which also focused on the potential of EU projects. UIV sees itself as an innovator for urban solutions and advises international cities as well as the City of Vienna. Among other things, it is currently researching international best practice examples in the field of urban climatology.