WHAT’S NEW!? #22 - VILLACH IN JANUARY 2023

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In January, the new financial year of the city of Villach starts with a higher budget than ever, innovative shop ideas, candidates for the new youth council and nominations for the Bruno Gironcoli Prize are looked for and an interesting winter program is offered in the Dobratsch Nature Park.

• 2022 in Villach: In addition to the start of construction of the Green Axis, during which the first trees were planted according to the sponge city principle, the creation of 170 new kindergarten places and the expansion of the VS Landskron, the introduction of the new bus system and the installation of PV systems, as well as the expansion of the city's sports facilities for young people, through the sports facility under the Draubrücke at Wasenboden, are important milestones that the city was able to successfully implement over the course of this eventful year.
   
• The budget proposal for 2023 was approved and, at 295.9 million euros, is more than ever. Of these, 50 million euros are to flow into “Children” and “Climate Protection”. Among other things, the plans include conversion and expansion of the elementary schools in Auen and St. Magdalen, the new construction of the Technology Park kindergarten, the hiring of 23 additional employees and the expansion of photovoltaic systems, the conversion of public lighting to more economical alternatives and the further improvement of public transportation. The city is thus setting strong priorities for Villach's future. At 45 million euros, the share of social benefits also remains high. More good news: In just two years, the city was able to repay special loans worth 15 million euros that had to be taken out in 2020 because of Corona.

• Innovative shop ideas wanted: The city of Villach is again organizing the "My Idea, My Shop" competition together with the KWF to encourage up to five winners to take the step into self-employment and to give them the opportunity to develop a business idea or to test a sales market directly in the center of Villach. Five successful projects have already emerged from the campaign. Not only will the city cover 75% (maximum €800/month) of the rental and operating costs for six months, but the winners will also receive a one-time prize of up to €5,000 and extensive support. The application phase runs until March 3, 2023!
   
• A conversion forbetter use of the parking lot at the intersection of Italiener Strasse and Pestalozzistrasse is imminent. The "IGS Projekt GmbH" successfully asserted itself with its concept in the tender of the city for the project development. From 2024, a four-story building for retail space, offices and apartments with green spaces is to be built on the 5,600 m² site. Parking spaces are to be created in the underground car park of the building.

• Young people in Villach in focus: In March 2023, the new Villach youth council will be elected. Anyone who would like to have a say in Villach city life and be nominated as a candidate can apply to the youth center by February 20th. The “Bruno Gironcoli Promotional Prize” will again be awarded to young artists under the age of 30 in 2023: nominations can be submitted by email to mario.seher@villach.at until the end of February.
   
• Villach presents its first women's report: the proportion of women in Villach is currently 51.8 percent. It is therefore important to deal with the causes and effects on education, child care, health and the socio-economic situation. The comprehensive report, which contains important data, facts, and figures about being a woman in Villach, is now intended to help make the city more women-friendly and better address the needs of women.
   
• The yellow bin and the yellow sack are now being used even more: now all other plastic packaging (e.g. yogurt pots, beverage bottles and chip packs) can be disposed of in the yellow bin or the yellow sack.
   
• Similar to every year, the Dobratsch Nature Park has planned a varied winter program for its visitors - from treasure hunts in the snow, to guided winter hikes to interesting workshops. If you want to enjoy the local recreation area stress-free, the best thing to do is take the nature park shuttle: This runs from December 1st to April 2nd every Wednesday to Sunday and during the Christmas holidays (December 24th - January 8th) and the semester break (February 11th - 19th) daily from the main train station to Rosstratten.
   
• The Alpen Arena Villach is the venue for the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Women for the first time: From December 27th to 29th, 70 jumpers from the world elite from 17 nations will gather in Villach to hold part of the New Year's Eve tournament here. The Austrian top athletes Marita Kramer, Eva Pinkelnig and Hannah Wiegele are also at the start! Tickets are available at oeticket.at, oesv.at or on site on the competition days.