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Murau, Styria

Western Upper Styria, Austria

Murau, Styria
© cagala | Adobe Stock

Western Upper Styria comprises the districts of Murau and Murtal with a total of 34 municipalities. Industry, especially manufacturing, is an economic mainstay and a major source of employment. Tourism has also developed strongly since 2017. However, employment levels have been lagging for years, accompanied by a steady decline in the population. Young people in particular are increasingly attracted to metropolitan areas and a 30% reduction in the number of 15 to 30-year-olds living in Murau is accordingly expected by 2050.

Examples of projects and initiatives supported by the EU

Project "Stadt-Land-Obersteiermark"

EU funding is accordingly being channelled into the the ‘Stadt-Land-Obersteiermark’ project, which is doing a great deal to make the area more attractive young people and encourage them to stay by means of an information and promotion campaign, accompanied by mobile youth services, regional participation, political awareness initiatives and an expanded online platform.

Biomass Centre Upper Murtal

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) provided assistance for a photovoltaic installation at the Upper Murtal biomass plant in 2016, followed by a combined heat and power plant in 2019, which can operate 24 hours a day, ensuring a continuous power supply. 

Strengthening Murau as a business location

The European Regional Development Fund is covering over half the costs of a project designed to bolster the local economy, to which all 14 municipalities of Murau are firmly committed, seeking to consolidate existing businesses and promote business start-ups in a bid to make Murau more than just a tourist destination. 

KEM Holzwelt Murau

The district of Murau relies heavily on biomass heating systems. However, the resulting wood ash is costly to dispose of. EU funding is accordingly being channelled into the Holzwelt Murau climate and energy flagship project for the analysis and treatment thereof, examining the technical and economic possibilities of efficient ash disposal.

Training initiative Murtal/Murau

The European Social Fund is helping to finance the Murtal/Murau ‘AusbildungsFit’ initiative launched by the Styrian vocational training institute, providing various training modules of up to one year for for school leavers and young adults seeking assistance in obtaining further academic or professional qualifications. 

Further information
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