EUCFI launches Path to Europe Starts Locally: kick-off with Harmannsdorf and Palanka

The kick-off meeting brought together representatives of the municipality of Harmannsdorf (Lower Austria), the Palanka Rural Territorial Community (Cherkasy Region of Ukriane), the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities and the European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI). The meeting was moderated by Olena Bekreniova, Co-Founder and Director of EUCFI.

“Today we are not just opening a project — we are starting a partnership between two communities that face different realities but share the same goal: local government that works for people. Over the coming months, we want to turn this exchange into practical solutions for Palanka and, through the Association, for many other Ukrainian communities.” — Olena Bekreniova, Director, EUCFI.

A partnership that works both ways

Speaking for the municipality of Harmannsdorf, Anna Hirtenfelder underlined that the exchange is meant to benefit both sides.

“For us, what matters most is a two-way partnership. We are glad to share our experience, and we also want to learn from you — what works well and what does not, especially in times of crisis, and how a community can support its residents. Ukraine has highly developed digitalisation and online public services, and we would like to bring some of these solutions to our community.” — Anna Hirtenfelder, Municipality of Harmannsdorf.

The Head of Palanka Community, Ruslan Iaremchuk, presented his community: 18 settlements, 12 general secondary schools, 8 preschool institutions and a large hospital serving a region of around 120,000 people. He also spoke openly about the challenges — a widely spread territory that makes logistics difficult, and shelling that has damaged municipal and private property. Palanka is already working with European partners to rebuild these facilities. Education, housing and communal services, and civil protection are among the areas the community most wants to explore in Austria.

“With the help of the project experts, we will study these topics as thoroughly as possible in theory. But during the visit, we want to see how things actually work on the ground. We also have experience of working in very difficult conditions, and we will gladly share it.” — Ruslan Iaremchuk, Head of Palanka Community.

European integration starts in communities

Serhii Zamidra, Deputy Head of the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities, placed the project in a wider national context. The Association is interested in Austria's long-standing experience in local self-government, inter-municipal cooperation and citizen engagement. It also wants to discuss how LEADER-type mechanisms for local development, which it is currently developing with the Ukrainian ministry responsible for agrarian policy, work in an Austrian municipality.

“Ukraine's European integration is not only about negotiations between governments. It is hard, everyday work, and above all it means change at the level of communities — how they work, what services people receive and how communities develop. The Association will gladly share everything we have developed, including in digitalisation.” — Serhii Zamidra, Deputy Head, All-Ukrainian Association of Communities.

From study visit to to recommendations

Olena Bekreniova presented the general roadmap of the project and the study visit to Harmannsdorf, the project’s first activity. From 1 to 7 November, 14 participants from Palanka Community and the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities, will travel to Lower Austria. Over five days, they will see Austrian local self-government in practice through meetings with the Mayor and municipal staff, site visits and discussions. Topics include strategic planning, local finances, education, municipal services, social protection and inclusion. The visit ends with a day in Vienna, and each day closes with a reflection on which practices could be adapted in Palanka. Its findings will shape the online seminars and the methodological recommendations that follow.

Olga Olefirova, Deputy Director of EUCFI, presented the expert component and projects following activities. . After the visit, four online seminars led by experts in municipal governance and European integration will focus on Austrian experience that is relevant for Ukraine. Working group will then discuss the findings and shape methodological recommendations. The final version will be ready in February 2027 and published as a digital booklet on the websites of EUCFI and the partner communities, and presented at project’s final publications and events, including a round table in Palanka and online conference.

“I believe this project will become a success story, fostering knowledge exchange and, most importantly, building a long-term partnership between Austrian and Ukrainian communities. Its outcomes will also provide practical recommendations and valuable insights for other Ukrainian communities.” — Olga Olefirova, Deputy Director, EUCFI.

What's next

The partners discussed the draft programme of the study visit and agreed on the next steps and on monthly coordination calls. The first major milestone is the study visit to Harmannsdorf on 1–7 November 2026, when a Ukrainian delegation of 14 participants will see Austrian municipal practice first-hand. It will be followed by four online seminars in November and December.

Read more about the project.

This project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency as part of International Partnerships Austria and the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns (AACT) through the Municipal Exchange Fund Austria for Ukraine – A4U, which is implemented by KDZ Centre for Public Administration Research as a part of U-LEAD with Europe – a multi donor action of the EU and its member states Germany, Denmark, France, Austria, Poland and Slovenia.

This publication/document has been produced with funding from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) as part of International Partnerships Austria. The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) accepts no responsibility for the content of communication materials produced by partner organisations. The statements, opinions, and information contained therein are solely the responsibility of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or stance of the ADA.

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