Project “Zellerndorf 2050” is a participatory community development initiative for the municipality of Zellerndorf in Lower Austria. The project aims to create a comprehensive Master Plan for the future development of its six villages by actively involving the 2,425 residents. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing demographic change and revitalizing the town center.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Analysis & Social Research: Data-driven assessment of settlement structures, housing needs, and mobility requirements.
• Participation Management: Design and moderation of engagement formats such as “Future Councils,” workshops, and surveys.
• Strategic Master Planning: Development of visionary concepts and usage plans for sustainable town center revitalization.
• Implementation Planning: Creation of detailed action plans including timelines, prioritization, and cost estimates.

In accordance with the Lower Austrian Health Plan (Gesundheitsplan 2040+), a new health clinic is to be established in Gmünd to ensure high-quality, local healthcare. This project serves as a sound decision-making basis for investors and evaluates both the location and the cross-border catchment area of the Gmünd – České Velenice region.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Research and Synthesis: Assessment of current and future healthcare requirements.
• Landscape Analysis: Evaluation of the regional and cross-border clinical and medical landscape.
• Economic Impact: Investigation of the regional labor market and the resulting effects on local value chains.
• Strategic Evaluation: Analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with the Gmünd clinic site.

The “PollenCare” project (ATHU-0100090) focuses on cross-border allergy prevention and awareness-raising under the impact of climate change in the Austrian-Hungarian border region. Operating with a budget of approximately €944,000 over 36 months, it aims to enhance regional resilience to increasing pollen levels. As rising temperatures lengthen pollen seasons and favor invasive allergenic species, the project promotes the reduction of such vegetation in municipal green spaces.

The strategy combines professional knowledge transfer with regulatory tools like the CARE-S system and Hungarian Government Decree No. 509/2023. Pilot studies in border municipalities will analyze tree registers to provide health-oriented planting recommendations. Furthermore, the project synchronizes national warning systems and helps the horticultural sector adapt its supply to non-allergenic alternatives. Public outreach includes a communication offensive, multilingual brochures, and a demonstration garden in Sopron.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

Project Preparation Support

• Consulting and facilitation of preparatory meetings.

• Assistance in drafting documentation for the project proposal.

• Editorial processing of incoming texts, completion of all application form text fields, and transfer of content into the ITMS.

• Project coordination and stakeholder alignment.

Project Documentation and Administration

• Preparation of the ERDF contract (European Regional Development Fund).

• Reporting support at the partner level.

• Reporting support at the project level.

• Project controlling and management of amendment requests.

• Support with procurement procedures.

The project concerns the conceptual development of a new State Development Programme for
Styria as a substantive basis for advancing state-level spatial planning and for the later revision
of regional development programmes. It focuses on good practices in state planning, the
definition of key thematic priorities, and the development of objectives, principles and possible
implementation measures for a future LEP.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Identification and development of relevant content and focal themes for the new State Development Plan (LEP)
• In-depth analysis of selected fields of action, such as central places, urban regions, spatial categories, as well as state-wide principles and stipulations
• Development of spatial planning theses, objectives, and principles as the foundation for an effective State Development Plan (LEP)
• Conception and implementation of coordination formats and workshops with the client, specialist departments, and other experts

The project focuses on preparing a local development concept for Semmering as a strategic
planning instrument for the municipality’s future spatial, economic, social and ecological
development. Based on existing studies and data, the work identifies target groups, development
potentials, scenarios as well as strategic guidelines and measures in order to link tourism-related
offers and everyday uses in a targeted and sustainable way.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Baseline analysis and screening of existing baselines, studies, and strategies, including project, thematic, and stakeholder overviews
• Target group analysis and potential assessment, as well as the development of 2 to 4 scenarios with different focal points
• Development of strategic guidelines and a catalog of measures
• Technical, cartographic, and editorial preparation of the results in a final repor

The project concerns process support and citizen participation for wind power zoning in Rechnitz
and Schachendorf. Its aim is to accompany the zoning process both communicatively and
technically, create transparency, identify conflict potentials at an early stage and develop a jointly
prepared rough concept for compensatory measures as a basis for further spatial planning work.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Development of a communication concept for process management and public participation
• Analysis of the initial situation and identification of areas of conflict
• Coordination with municipalities, authorities, operators, experts, and other stakeholders involved
• Preparation, moderation, and documentation of information events, dialogue forums, and coordination meetings
• Development of a rough landscape planning concept for compensatory measures

The project aims to establish the RESY Dashboard (Regional Information and Monitoring System) as a central tool for data-driven decision-making in Austria’s regions. Developed by the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management, it supports public administrations, planners, regional networks and collaborations, economic actors, tourism organizations, and educational institutions in analyzing and solving key regional challenges.

As part of the project, practical application examples, referred to as “Short Stories,” have been developed. These examples illustrate how the dashboard can be effectively utilized to analyze problems in land policy/spatial planning, regional development, and tourism, plan appropriate measures, and monitor their progress.

The Short Stories connect data-driven approaches with cooperative planning processes, demonstrating how the RESY Dashboard can contribute to sustainable regional development.

For each application example, two accompanying graphics have been created. These visuals highlight the central content of the Short Stories, offering a visual representation of key data points. This enhances the narrative description, emphasizing the user-friendliness of the dashboard and positioning the visualizations as a valuable communication tool in the planning process.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Recherche von Herausforderungen/Chancen der österreichischen Raumplanung
• Erstellung von realitätsnahen Anwendungsbeispielen (Short Stories) zur Veranschaulichung der Einsatzmöglichkeiten des RESY-Dashboards
• Erstellung von Grafiken zur visuellen Begleitung der Short Stories

The project concerns process support and citizen participation for wind power zoning in Rechnitz
and Schachendorf. Its aim is to accompany the zoning process both communicatively and
technically, create transparency, identify conflict potentials at an early stage and develop a jointly
prepared rough concept for compensatory measures as a basis for further spatial planning work.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Development of a communication concept for process management and public participation
• Analysis of the initial situation and identification of areas of conflict
• Coordination with municipalities, authorities, operators, experts, and other stakeholders involved
• Preparation, moderation, and documentation of information events, dialogue forums, and coordination meetings
• Development of a rough landscape planning concept for compensatory measures

The project aims to establish the RESY Dashboard (Regional Information and Monitoring System) as a central tool for data-driven decision-making in Austria’s regions. Developed by the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management, it supports public administrations, planners, regional networks and collaborations, economic actors, tourism organizations, and educational institutions in analyzing and solving key regional challenges.

As part of the project, practical application examples, referred to as “Short Stories,” have been developed. These examples illustrate how the dashboard can be effectively utilized to analyze problems in land policy/spatial planning, regional development, and tourism, plan appropriate measures, and monitor their progress.

The Short Stories connect data-driven approaches with cooperative planning processes, demonstrating how the RESY Dashboard can contribute to sustainable regional development.

For each application example, two accompanying graphics have been created. These visuals highlight the central content of the Short Stories, offering a visual representation of key data points. This enhances the narrative description, emphasizing the user-friendliness of the dashboard and positioning the visualizations as a valuable communication tool in the planning process.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Recherche von Herausforderungen/Chancen der österreichischen Raumplanung
• Erstellung von realitätsnahen Anwendungsbeispielen (Short Stories) zur Veranschaulichung der Einsatzmöglichkeiten des RESY-Dashboards
• Erstellung von Grafiken zur visuellen Begleitung der Short Stories

The Carinthian government has made an active commitment to climate protection in its government program. It has set itself the goal of initiating the energy transition swiftly and implementing effective measures to improve energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy sources, in order to make Carinthia energy-independent and free from fossil and nuclear energy sources by 2025 in the areas of heating and electricity, and by 2015 in the transport sector (emap, p. 13).

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

Hannes Schaffer war Teil der Arbeitsgruppe Raumordnung, in die ExpertInnen ihr Fachwissen in den Energiemasterplan einbrachten.

As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment in the simplified procedure according to §5 UVP-G 2000, a report was prepared on the protection interests of landscape aesthetics, tangible and cultural heritage, residential and zoning designations, as well as leisure/recreation/tourism and the townscape.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

The following impacts of the project were assessed:

• Assessment of the impacts of the project on the protection interest of landscape aesthetics
• Assessment of the impacts of the project on the protection interest of tangible and cultural heritage
• Assessment of the impacts of the project on the protection interest of residential and zoning designations
• Assessment of the impacts of the project on the protection interest of leisure/recreation/tourism
• Assessment of the impacts of the project on the protection interest of the townscape

The “LIFE Panonic Salt” project is a comprehensive initiative for the conservation and development of habitats in Austria and Slovakia. It includes the coordination of habitat management, the construction of dams to improve groundwater conditions, research on agricultural impacts, and extensive monitoring activities. Additionally, it places great emphasis on communication and collaboration with other projects, as well as the development of sustainability plans to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the measures.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

Project Coordination

• Preparation, moderation, and follow-up of coordination workshops between the Burgenland state and contractors necessary for project activities
• Assistance in formulating project amendment requests (budget reallocations, time shifts), preparing requests for submission to the lead partner
• Support hotline for resolving challenges arising during project implementation

Project documentation and administration

Assistance in partner-level reporting (semi-annually)

• Assistance in creating approximately 10 financial and progress reports in the ITMS system
• Reviewing submitted accounting documents for accuracy and completeness
• Advising on eligibility questions
• Assisting in responding to queries from the LIFE Secretariat regarding financial and progress reports

Procurement

Advising and supporting in procurement procedures

• Checking tender documents
• Verifying compliance of procurement documentation with Interreg standards
• Organizational support to the contracting authority in awarding contracts
• Assisting in LIFE-compliant documentation of service changes (continuous documentation of all service changes, additional orders, etc.)

Project Completion

Assisting the contracting authority in preparing a final project report

The database provides insights into action options and tools for active interventions in the region. mecca analyzes national and international examples (with a focus on Austria, Germany, Switzerland) that help successfully address population decline, aging, and the attractiveness of areas functionally intertwined with urban regions. These examples are compiled and located in a dedicated project database. The results can be found here: Map of Opportunities

mecca also oversees the ongoing maintenance of the database. In total, there are already more than 400 practical examples available online.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

On the property Florastraße 6 in Bad Vöslau, the old Louisenvilla is to be renovated on the one hand, and the multi-family residential building Louisenpark is to be built on the other. In the immediate vicinity is the spa park, a senior citizens’ residence and the municipal open-air swimming pool.

The current forest-like character of the property is to be preserved as far as possible – especially the pine stand.

In order to preserve or create further ecologically valuable areas, plantings of several trees, flowering shrub hedges, planting beds with perennial mixtures, vertical greenery on a house wall or on wire ropes along the rubbish room as well as the greening of the entire flat roof of the apartment building are planned.

Project partner: DI Doris Haidvogl – Engineering Office for Landscape Planning

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

The cross-border project “Active Border: Cross-Border Experiences by Bike and Boat” (Bike&Boat) aims to strengthen the Slovak-Austrian border region by promoting sustainable water and cycling tourism as a shared recreational area. Led by the Bratislava Self-Governing Region, eight partners are working together to develop a modern tourism infrastructure that harmonizes nature experiences with environmental protection.

A primary focus is placed on physical infrastructure: this includes the construction of a new water sports center in Podersdorf on Lake Neusiedl, as well as the modernization of boat docks along the Morava River and the establishment of a water sports center of excellence in Bratislava. This physical foundation is complemented by innovative digital tools, such as interactive route planners and augmented reality applications, which provide visitors with insights into the region’s unique ecological features. Furthermore, the partners are implementing specialized training programs for guides and rangers to ensure the long-term quality of nature-based tourism and to permanently solidify cross-border cooperation in the field of nature conservation.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

Project Preparation Support

• Consulting and facilitation of preparatory meetings.

• Assistance in drafting documentation for the project proposal.

• Editorial processing of incoming texts, completion of all application form text fields, and transfer of content into the ITMS.

• Project coordination and stakeholder alignment.

Project Documentation and Administration

• Preparation of the ERDF contract (European Regional Development Fund).

• Reporting support at the partner level.

• Reporting support at the project level.

• Project controlling and management of amendment requests.

• Support with procurement procedures.

In accordance with the Lower Austrian Health Plan (Gesundheitsplan 2040+), a new health clinic is to be established in Gmünd to ensure high-quality, local healthcare. This project serves as a sound decision-making basis for investors and evaluates both the location and the cross-border catchment area of the Gmünd – České Velenice region.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Research and Synthesis: Assessment of current and future healthcare requirements.
• Landscape Analysis: Evaluation of the regional and cross-border clinical and medical landscape.
• Economic Impact: Investigation of the regional labor market and the resulting effects on local value chains.
• Strategic Evaluation: Analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with the Gmünd clinic site.

The “PollenCare” project (ATHU-0100090) focuses on cross-border allergy prevention and awareness-raising under the impact of climate change in the Austrian-Hungarian border region. Operating with a budget of approximately €944,000 over 36 months, it aims to enhance regional resilience to increasing pollen levels. As rising temperatures lengthen pollen seasons and favor invasive allergenic species, the project promotes the reduction of such vegetation in municipal green spaces.

The strategy combines professional knowledge transfer with regulatory tools like the CARE-S system and Hungarian Government Decree No. 509/2023. Pilot studies in border municipalities will analyze tree registers to provide health-oriented planting recommendations. Furthermore, the project synchronizes national warning systems and helps the horticultural sector adapt its supply to non-allergenic alternatives. Public outreach includes a communication offensive, multilingual brochures, and a demonstration garden in Sopron.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

Project Preparation Support

• Consulting and facilitation of preparatory meetings.

• Assistance in drafting documentation for the project proposal.

• Editorial processing of incoming texts, completion of all application form text fields, and transfer of content into the ITMS.

• Project coordination and stakeholder alignment.

Project Documentation and Administration

• Preparation of the ERDF contract (European Regional Development Fund).

• Reporting support at the partner level.

• Reporting support at the project level.

• Project controlling and management of amendment requests.

• Support with procurement procedures.

The INTERREG project “Royal Traces – European royal houses and sovereigns” aims to revitalize and elevate the cultural heritage of prominent noble families, specifically the Liechtenstein, Pálffy, Bourbon, and Esterházy dynasties, in the border region of Lower Austria and Slovakia. The core mission is to establish a joint cultural route of European significance and prepare it for official certification by the Council of Europe. This involves significant infrastructure investments to restore and adapt historical sites in Wilfersdorf, Skalica, Malacky, Plavecké Podhradie, and Lanzenkirchen, transforming them into accessible tourist destinations and vibrant venues for cross-border music school performances and cultural programs. To enhance visitor engagement, the project implements smart digital tools, including interactive maps and mobile applications, alongside a “Nobility Pass” designed to boost regional tourism and foster permanent institutional cooperation across borders.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Development of core project themes (oder: Elaboration of key project focus areas)
• Support in project implementation
• Communication and public relations (PR)
• Reporting

Turning Points – Museums for a Democratic Future“ ist ein Kooperationsvorhaben des Museums der Stadt Bratislava und des Vereins für Volkskunde (Volkskundemuseum Wien). Ziel der Initiative ist die Förderung demokratischer Prozesse sowie die Stärkung bürgergesellschaftlicher Werte durch die aktive Arbeit von Gedächtnis- und Bildungsinstitutionen. Im Fokus steht dabei die Untersuchung zeithistorischer Wendepunkte und gesellschaftlicher Transformationsprozesse in der Region Bratislava und Wien ab etwa 1985 bis in die Gegenwart. Wesentliche Bestandteile des Projekts sind die Revitalisierung eines historischen Bürgerhauses in Bratislava und eines ehemaligen Luftschutzbunkers in Wien, die zu multidisziplinären Kultur- und Bildungszentren umgebaut werden. Begleitet wird dies durch den Aufbau eines gemeinsamen Forschungsteams, innovative Ausstellungen wie das „Laboratorium der Regime“ sowie die Entwicklung neuer digitaler Vermittlungsformate und Schulprogramme.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Development of the core project focus and thematic priorities
• Support in project implementation
• Communication and public relations (PR)
• Reporting

The “CoMe History” project aims to make the shared medieval history and culture in the border region between Austria and Hungary accessible. It includes various activities such as events, traveling exhibitions, archive research, investments in historical sites, and involvement of schools and communities.

By creating a network of historians, conducting archaeological excavations, and establishing interactive exhibitions, historical information and cultural heritage are made accessible. The project aims for extensive public outreach to inform the population about its goals and outcomes.

Investments in historical sites like medieval vineyards, marketplaces, toll stations, and observation towers help preserve cultural heritage and create tourist attractions. Schools and communities are engaged through workshops and exchange events to strengthen awareness of shared history.

The project aims to strengthen connections between communities, preserve historical heritage, and promote the region as a tourist destination by making medieval history tangible and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

The parks are important recreational areas and popular destinations for city residents and visitors from adjacent regions. All parks are uniquely located in the city center and face increasing pressure from climate change. The growing population and expanding built-up areas significantly impact public space function and cultural activities. Parks, especially Schönbrunn and Eisenstadt, are currently under pressure due to high visitor numbers. In contrast, project activities in Stupava Park will contribute to cultural heritage preservation and increased visitor numbers. The main goal of the Parksfit4future project is to utilize the potential of the cross-border SK-AT region for preserving and developing culture and sustainable tourism through knowledge building and suitable infrastructure creation, achieved via pilot and innovative investment activities.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Drafting a possible project structure
• Consultation on the project’s compliance with funding requirements such as priority axis, specific and individual objectives, core outputs, target values, contributions to the program’s outcome indicator, etc., as per program guidelines
• Facilitation of preparation meetings among project partners, either in-person or as online conferences, and at 2-3 additional preparation meetings until the final project submission

The youth parliament project “Democracy in Practice” brings together project ideas developed by
students from several municipalities and schools on the themes of the future of the region,
school and education, and intergenerational exchange. The documents record a joint
presentation event in which the young participants publicly presented their proposals, ranging
from education and participation formats to leisure and community projects.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Facilitating a public participation/stakeholder engagement process.
• Preparing and processing content to create a project video and a presentation of the developed initiatives.
• Structuring and conducting joint presentation events.
• Documenting project results, core thematic areas, and individual implementation approaches.

The project focuses on preparing a local development concept for Semmering as a strategic
planning instrument for the municipality’s future spatial, economic, social and ecological
development. Based on existing studies and data, the work identifies target groups, development
potentials, scenarios as well as strategic guidelines and measures in order to link tourism-related
offers and everyday uses in a targeted and sustainable way.

Employer:

Catalogue of services:

• Baseline analysis and screening of existing baselines, studies, and strategies, including project, thematic, and stakeholder overviews
• Target group analysis and potential assessment, as well as the development of 2 to 4 scenarios with different focal points
• Development of strategic guidelines and a catalog of measures
• Technical, cartographic, and editorial preparation of the results in a final repor