Education Voucher for Municipal Officers

The education voucher for municipal representatives in Lower Austria supports public institutions in the training and further education of their elected officials, department heads, as well as climate, energy, mobility, and environmental officers. The aim is to strengthen competencies for demanding tasks in energy efficiency, climate protection, and environmental management, thereby promoting the implementation of regional sustainability goals. During the action period from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2026, selected specialized courses such as energy consultant training programs, municipal climate protection and mobility seminars, as well as specialized environmental training, will be funded. Up to 75% of external course costs – a maximum of 500 euros per course – will be reimbursed directly via the education voucher. The processing is handled straightforwardly through the participating educational providers, who automatically grant the discount and settle with the Department of Environment and Energy Economy of the state.

Participation requires approval and delegation by the respective municipality. The fully completed education voucher must be submitted no later than the first course date and must include the name, function, address, as well as confirmation from the delegating municipality. Only external course costs up to the stated maximum limit are eligible for funding. With this funding, municipalities in Lower Austria receive an attractive opportunity to provide their representatives with practical further education and to effectively advance forward-looking environmental and energy projects. All details regarding approved courses, funding requirements, and procedures are regulated in the 2024–2026 information sheet as well as in the guideline for the promotion of investments and measures in the fields of environment, energy, and climate protection.