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After-work meeting Sarajevo-Vienna: 2025 recap and outlook on 2026

The International Office of the City of Vienna in Sarajevo hosted its traditional after-work meeting attended by representatives of the City of Sarajevo, cantonal ministries, public enterprises, media, academia, and the Austrian Embassy in Sarajevo. In a pre-Christmas atmosphere, the most important activities of 2025 were reviewed and initial priorities for 2026 were discussed.

Review of joint projects 2025

In her speech, Tijana Purgic, Head of the International Office of the City of Vienna in Sarajevo, described the past year as particularly dynamic, marked by new topics and partnerships. She welcomed the Mayor of Sarajevo, Samir Avdic, and his deputy Predrag Puharic, an expert in cybersecurity and digital transformation, as well as Dušanka Boškovic, Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth. Tijana Purgic highlighted Vienna's support for the first Sarajevo citizens' council on climate matters, for other participatory processes, and for projects related to drinking water and public fountains, while emphasising the momentum provided by the exchange between the local public utility KJKP Rad and the Vienna Department of Waste Management, Street Cleaning, and Vehicle Fleet (MA 48).

Cybersecurity was a key focus at the end of the year. Purgic thanked Deputy Mayor Puharic and the Institute of Informatics and Statistics of the Canton of Sarajevo, before announcing that cooperation in this field would continue with a focus on digitization, digital humanism, and citizen-oriented technologies.

New political framework conditions and a stable partnership

Although the 2025 local elections led to staff changes in both cities, the close cooperation between Sarajevo and Vienna remained unchanged throughout the past year. Tijana Purgic pointed out that around 70 percent of all EU regulations are implemented at local level, and that changes are therefore seen and felt immediately in cities. In conclusion, she thanked the media and partners, and emphasised that international cooperation is inherently inspiring and meaningful - without the need for additional motivation.

Interactive conclusion of the event

The event ended with a matching competition, in which symbols and institutions from Sarajevo and Vienna had to be paired up. It was an entertaining way to further exchange, showing how well the Sarajevo office partners know their Viennese counterparts. The meeting was also held to thank them for their dedicated participation in workshops, research, ECC conferences and many joint projects.

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