Vienna Development Knowledge Center

Policymakers and practitioners from 14 countries across Europe and Central Asia met in Vienna for a Technical Deep Dive on Energy Efficiency and Resilience in the Built Environment, November 3-6, 2025. Organized by the World Bank’s Urban and Energy Global Practices, the event highlighted innovative solutions like Vienna’s “passive house” renovations and geothermal heating. Participants shared experiences on combining energy efficiency with resilience, discussed funding and regulatory challenges, and explored practical approaches for retrofitting buildings. The workshop encouraged peer learning and set the foundation for future regional cooperation.

Nearly 30 government specialists from 13 countries across the Europe and Central Asia region joined other international experts for a core course on Disability-Inclusive Social Protection Systems and Long-Term Care, held in Vienna on October 20-24, 2025. Organized by the World Bank and UNICEF and hosted by the Vienna Development Knowledge Center, the course encouraged participants to share their experience of disability-inclusive reforms in the region.

Serbian municipal leaders and urban planners visited Vienna with the World Bank Group to learn how people-centered urbanism and nature-based solutions can make cities greener and more resilient. Inspired by Vienna’s approach, they explored practical ways to redesign public spaces and foster healthier, resilient communities in Serbia.

The June 11-12 workshop explored AI's potential to positively transform learning in Europe and Central Asia as the region grapples with how best to harness the technology in education and beyond. It brought together policymakers and education experts, as well as students, teachers, school administrators and private sector stakeholders. In total, more than a dozen countries were represented, resulting in vibrant discussions – and revealing common challenges.

The June 2-5 Technical Deep Dive on Urban Space, Mobility and Decarbonization provided for insightful exchanges of ideas combined with practical field trips and hands-on project development clinics aimed at advancing sustainable, low-carbon solutions across the Europe and Central Asia region. The event was organized by the World Bank’s urban and transport teams in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Jointly organized by the World Bank and the Austrian Federal Competition Authority on  May 26, the first meeting of an informal network of competition authorities from the Western Balkans at the Vienna Development Knowledge Center event was aimed at supporting economic integration and sustainable growth in this region. The workshop brought together representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

At a May 26 workshop hosted by the Vienna Development Knowledge Center, policymakers and financial regulators from Europe and Central Asia – as well as World Bank experts – came together to share insights and best practices related to NDBs and competition policies in the financial sector.

The workshop was the first Vienna Development Knowledge Center activity in the area of Climate Resilience and Adaptation. Specifically tailored to countries in ECA that are facing challenges as they seek to strengthen their water supply and sanitation sectors amid a growing need for climate resilience and adaptation, the workshop held on May 12-13 also drew participants from Albania, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Türkiye, as well as water practitioners and experts from Bulgaria, Portugal and the World Bank for a series of solutions-oriented sessions. 

As the first Vienna Development Knowledge Center activity in the thematic area of Economic Governance, the event on March 17 brought together participants – largely from developing countries in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) – to discuss ways to more proactively and strategically ramp up the role of SOEs in climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience.