Nuremberg / Munich, 8 May 2026: The study tour advanced concrete investment partnerships, intensified technology exchange between Ukrainian and German stakeholders, and strengthened long-term cooperation for Ukraine’s green reconstruction by connecting Ukrainian municipalities, SMEs, and regional development actors with leading partners in Nuremberg and Munich.

Organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Nuremberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Middle Franconia and German partners, the programme combined investment matchmaking, hands-on knowledge exchange, and exposure to leading global industry platforms such as IFAT Munich, supporting practical cooperation and investment-oriented partnerships for sustainable reconstruction.

The program included:

• investment matchmaking;
• practical exchange of experiences;
• an introduction to cutting-edge technologies;
• participation in IFAT Munich, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies.

The visit took place from May 4 to 8, 2026, as part of the project “Green Industrial Recovery through Municipality-Based Development in Ukraine,” funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The initiative was a continuation of a series of UNIDO webinars focused on local economic development and innovative growth. It reflects the strong interest of Ukrainian communities and businesses in practical cooperation with German partners in the following areas:

• municipal investment;
• small and medium-sized business development;
• green industrial transformation;
• infrastructure modernization.

During the visit, particular attention was paid to:

• building partnerships between Ukrainian and German municipalities;
• discussing investment projects;
• modernizing municipal infrastructure;
• identifying technological solutions for Ukraine’s recovery.

Participants also visited municipal and industrial facilities, where they had the opportunity to learn about modern approaches to:

• energy efficiency;
• water treatment;
• waste management;
• the digitalization of municipal infrastructure.

A key part of the program was participation in IFAT Munich—the world’s largest trade fair for environmental technology solutions. The Ukrainian delegation held meetings with international companies, familiarized itself with cutting-edge technologies, and discussed potential partnerships for implementing projects in Ukraine.

“By connecting municipalities, SMEs, and industry leaders, we are turning cooperation between Germany and Ukraine into concrete, investment-ready partnerships that drive sustainable reconstruction and long-term economic resilience, “ said Markus Lotzsch, Managing Director of the Nuremberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Middle Franconia.

“Participation in IFAT offers a unique opportunity to identify specific technological solutions for modernizing public utilities and improving the quality of life for residents in the Kharkiv region. Our objective is to facilitate the transfer of global best practices and innovations, discuss equipment supply opportunities, and attract potential investment to Ukraine, “ said Yevhenii Lukianenko, Director of Regional Development Agency of the Kharkiv Region.

The visit yielded a number of concrete results, including:

• the identification of potential areas of cooperation between Ukrainian and German municipalities and companies;
• increased interest among German businesses in participating in Ukraine’s green recovery projects;
• Ukrainian participants gained access to international technologies, suppliers, and partners;
• a foundation was laid for future joint investment and infrastructure projects.