Since 2025, a solidarity utility partnership has existed between Augsburg’s municipal utilities (Stadtwerke Augsburg, swa) and Pervomaiskvodokanal in southern Ukraine. It complements the town twinning that has been in place since 2022 and is primarily aimed at sustainably securing the drinking water supply in Pervomaisk through the procurement of urgently needed pumps.
From 2 to 6 March 2026, a six-member delegation from Pervomaisk visited Augsburg’s municipal utilities. The visit focused on getting to know one another in person as well as engaging in an intensive professional exchange, with particular emphasis on the planned procurement of pumps. In addition, the guests were given an overview of the utilities’ technical facilities and worked together with their German partners on further structuring the collaboration.
Key technical and organisational issues relating to procurement were already clarified in the first few days. The presentation of the German tendering procedures provided an important basis for the next steps. Building on this, both partners, together with a member of staff from the Utility Platform, developed a joint operation plan that transparently sets out the further course of the project and provides clear guidance for the coming months.
Another highlight was the tour of selected facilities. These hands-on insights enabled the delegation to gain a clear understanding of modern water supply systems and to draw valuable lessons for their own work.
The professional programme was complemented by activities as part of the existing town twinning, which further deepened personal exchange and strengthened mutual trust.
The visit clearly demonstrated how effective direct dialogue between the technical experts of both organisations can be: complex issues were clarified within a short time and decision-making processes were noticeably accelerated. On the basis of the jointly developed operation plan, the conditions are now in place to continue the partnership in a focused manner and to implement the upcoming activities efficiently.
