Twin cities Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, and Linz, Austria, to expand their partnership

The two cities, twinned since 1983, have officially signed an Action Plan of Cooperation for 2024—2025.

During the 2nd International Summit of Cities and Regions held in Kyiv on May 8—9, Regina Harchenko, Secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, and Dietmar Prammer, a member of the Linz City Council, signed a strategic document outlining the areas of inter-municipal cooperation.

The action plan, developed by the City Development Institute of Zaporizhzhia in collaboration with Austrian colleagues, includes objectives for environmental safety, waste management, urban mobility, and business cooperation. Linz’s prominent expertise in these areas will be invaluable for the restoration and development of Zaporizhzhia.

Other sections of the Action Plan focus on cooperation in education, culture, and youth policy, aimed at developing academic and cultural ties between the cities, youth communities, and civic organizations.

Partners believe closer inter-municipal and interregional cooperation will enable access to EU funding for joint development and recovery projects.

Symbolically, the signing of the Action Plan coincides with the twinning anniversary of Zaporizhzhia and Linz; our cities began official cooperation in May 1983.

Following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Linz expressed solidarity with its twin city, Zaporizhzhia, and provided humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and city hospitals. Two humanitarian cargoes with household appliances for IDP shelters and medical equipment arrived in Zaporizhzhia in November 2022 and August 2023, respectively.

Additionally, the Embassy of Ukraine in Vienna significantly assists in implementing these humanitarian projects and facilitates ongoing communication between the partner cities.