Path to Europe Starts Locally: Study Visit to Harmannsdorf Under Way

On 2 November, a 14-member delegation from Ukraine’s Palanka Community began a five-day study visit to the market municipality of Harmannsdorf in Lower Austria. The visit is a central activity of the project Path to Europe Starts Locally: Harmannsdorf – Palanka Community Partnership for EU-Aligned Governance, implemented by the European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI).

Led by Ruslan Iaremchuk, Head of Palanka Community, the delegation includes village heads, the council secretary, heads of departments responsible for finance, education, social protection and economic development, two thematic experts, and representatives of the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities.

The visit brings together Ukrainian and Austrian representatives to exchange municipal governance practices and explore approaches that could be adapted to Palanka’s local priorities.

The study visit opened with an introduction to the two communities and their local governance systems.

Mayor Alexander Raicher welcomed the Ukrainian delegation and presented Harmannsdorf’s approach to municipal administration, covering local governance, education, budgeting and other key areas of responsibility. The discussion provided an opportunity to compare administrative structures and practices in Austria and Ukraine.

The exchange also highlighted Ukraine’s experience in local self-government. Austrian representatives expressed particular interest in how Ukrainian communities organise their work and maintain essential public services under challenging circumstances.

“On the first day we got to know how the council works and learned from the experience of local civic organisations. Representatives of the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities are working alongside us. We hope not only to gain experience, but also to share Ukraine’s,” said Ruslan Iaremchuk, Head of Palanka Community.

Another part of the programme focused on citizen participation in local development. During a meeting with the chair of Harmannsdorf’s village renewal association, the delegation learned how community-led initiatives contribute to public infrastructure and shared spaces. Examples included the construction of a bridge, a fountain and an observation tower, all developed through local civic engagement.

The first day also included a facilitated reflection session at the Harmannsdorf Gemeindeamt, where participants discussed their observations and considered their relevance to Palanka’s development priorities. The programme concluded with a networking dinner with Austrian colleagues.

Explore the photo gallery from the first day of the study visit:

Over the following days, the delegation will explore a range of municipal responsibilities and local development practices, including:

• Local finance and municipal budgeting;

• Education and healthcare;

• Municipal services and civil protection, including volunteer firefighting and flood prevention;

• Renewable energy and local energy communities;

• Local business development and tourism;

• Social protection and the inclusion of refugees and older residents.

The programme will conclude with a meeting at the Austrian Parliament.

Following the study visit, participants will share insights from their respective areas of expertise, while the project experts will develop practical recommendations based on the lessons learned and tailored to Palanka Community’s needs.

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.

Key Areas of Municipal Cooperation

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