Winter School on Federalism and Governance 2025

The 2025 EURAC Winter School cohort at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, joined by the EURAC director, program director, and faculty members of the university.

The first week took place in Innsbruck, where the theoretical foundations of federalism were explored, and the second week continued in Bolzano/Bozen, where the theoretical understandings were examined with the help of relevant case studies. The programme was designed with a fine balance of theoretical lectures, case studies, simulation exercises, excursions and cultural events to provide a wholesome learning experience for the participants. 

Our participants from India, Dr. Philip Varghese, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Christ (Deemed to be University) and Utkarsh Agarwal, Ph.D. scholar at Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, gained various significant and pertinent insights necessary to understand the nuances of federalism. Through a series of intensive lectures and engaging workshops, they explored how federalism can function as a tool for good governance, both now and in the future, within the broader framework of the separation of powers.  The course lectures were delivered by renowned federalism experts from the University of Innsbruck, Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research, and other international experts having expertise in federal systems across countries such as Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the United States of America, India, Ethiopia, Nigeria and more.

The Winter School participants at the city office in Innsbruck, Austria for an interaction with the elected members.

Innsbruck, Austria (3-7 February) 2025

The first week of the academic course introduced the core themes of Federalism and the Separation of Powers, followed by a guided tour of the historic and fascinating city of Innsbruck. The following day was thoroughly informative and engaging, with lectures on the origin of the separation of powers, shared rule and intergovernmentalism. The participants also learnt about the role of constitutional courts in the federal separation of powers and the separation of powers at the subnational level. At a roundtable discussion on ‘Does a Vertical Separation of Powers Prevent Authoritarianism?’, the participants explored the relationship between federalism and democracy. A team-building activity that followed was an innovative example of learning by doing, helping participants better understand the nuances of federal systems around the world. On the final day, a simulation game added an experiential dimension by challenging the participants to design a hypothetical federation with sub-units featuring peculiar features and conditionalities.

The Winter School participants at the South Tyrolean Parliament (an autonomous province) in Bolzano/ Bozen, Italy.

Bolzano/Bozen, Italy (10-14 February) 2025

The second week of the course began with a lecture on The Italian Regional System: From Theory to Practice, followed by a visit to the South Tyrolean Parliament, including a discussion with Provincial Counsellors and a guided tour of the historic city of Bolzano. During this week, the participants examined the nuances of the separation of powers in selected federations through case studies from the USA, Canada, Africa, Asia, and the European Union. The thematic workshops provided practical insights into key issues such as financial relations, environmental litigation, migration, and digitalization. Subsequently, the presentations by the participants highlighted the intricacies of the federal structures of their respective countries and the challenges inherent in these systems. The last day concluded with the diploma ceremony and a visit to a local winery, where participants enjoyed a hands-on introduction to the winemaking process, including fermentation and maturation.

In addition to the above, the interdisciplinary approach of the Winter School, combining theoretical expertise and relevant case studies from the perspectives of both law and political science, helped solidifying their ability to analyse the legal and political structures of distribution systems, thereby deepening their knowledge of federalism through both interdisciplinary and comparative lenses.

The Winter School on Federalism and Governance 2025 marked a significant milestone in their academic journey — a memorable experience that enriched their intellectual wisdom with valuable practical insights. The combination of theoretical learning in Innsbruck and its application to real-world case studies in Bolzano provided a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of federalism. Beyond academic rigor, the programme fostered meaningful connections with international experts and peers.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Institute for Comparative Federalism of Eurac Research, the University of Innsbruck, all lecturers, and fellow participants for making this a truly rewarding and a fruitful learning experience. A special thanks to Hanns Seidel Foundation India for supporting us in this program. Our participation would not have been possible without their assistance. We mark this Winter School as the highest learning opportunity of our life and a deeper appreciation for federal studies with a network of like-minded scholars from around the globe and profession.”