Styrian pioneer

Holzwelt Murau in Brussels: EU promotes regionality

European Affairs Minister Werner Amon (ÖVP) receives the Mayor of Murau, Thomas Kalcher (ÖVP), in Brussels.

(Bild: ALEXANDER LOUVET)

How does Styria benefit from Austria's EU membership? The answer is provided by the Upper Styrian district of Murau, which is currently being funded as a "Leader region". Local players are to be strengthened - which is why a delegation from Murau is currently visiting Brussels.

European concerns are Styrian concerns - and vice versa. What often goes unnoticed became apparent on Tuesday evening in the rooms of the Styria House in Brussels. While French and English are spoken in the rest of the Belgian capital, debates in this building are conducted in Styrian. The current topic of discussion: Holzwelt Murau.

The Murau regional development association has set itself the goal of bringing Europe to life in the region. "Our European project is intended to boost voting behavior and make our district, which otherwise has little political say, visible," says Thomas Kalcher (ÖVP), Mayor of Murau and Chairman of Holzwelt. In addition to the current trip to Brussels by regional representatives in the rural region, a number of things are being implemented - from youth education to biomass heating plants.

A delegation of representatives from Murau visited the Styria House.

(Bild: ALEXANDER LOUVET)

150,000 euros have been made available for the "Europe and the Region" project by the EU, the federal government and the province, as Murau has been a European "Leader Region" since March of this year. "The variety of funding opportunities is often underestimated," says Kalcher, encouraging other municipalities to stand up for the European idea. In the form of funds, project financing and other programs, Styria received a total of 6.34 billion euros from the EU between 2007 and 2022 - that's an average of 5180 euros per capita.

Despite all the annoyances from light bulbs to the curvature of cucumbers, it is important to see what the EU brings to Styria. It has secured peace among the member states and improved prosperity in many countries.

Werner Amon, Europalandesrat Steiermark (ÖVP)

"Despite all the annoyances, from light bulbs to the curvature of cucumbers, you have to see what the EU brings to Styria," says Werner Amon (ÖVP), Member of the European Parliament, who has also come to Brussels. With 380.5 million euros per capita, Murau was actually the most heavily funded district in Austria during the last funding period. A prime example of Styria benefiting from Austrian EU membership instead of paying extra.

In order to guarantee positive lobbying for Styria, there has been a Styria House in the ambassadorial district since Austria's accession to the EU. It is a liaison office for EU policy, in which six employees currently lobby for Styrian interests on a daily basis. In 2023, the Styria House received a total of around 1900 people, guided them through the EU institutions and connected them with interesting discussion partners - this is also being increasingly emphasized in the current election year.

Note: The press trip took place at the invitation of the Province of Styria.