This story starts in June 2025 in Brescia, Italy.

Two participants from the Talent Academy 2025, Sophie Pönitz from bauverein AG and Philip Möwald from Wiener Wohnen, connected professionally. That encounter, together with the opportunities provided by the Eurhonet Exchange Programme, is what brought Sophie to Vienna to visit Philip and the Wiener Wohnen offices from 20 to 22 May 2026.

We spoke with Sophie to learn more about her experience, her impressions of Wiener Wohnen, and the value of professional exchange across the Eurhonet network.

Can you tell us about you and your professional role?

“My name is Sophie Julie Pönitz and since November 2023 I have had the pleasure of being part of a great team at bauverein AG in Darmstadt as a Consultant for Sustainable Corporate Development. As part of the Corporate Development team, my responsibilities include strategic work, the further development of the corporate strategy with a focus on future viability and sustainability, as well as sustainability reporting. In addition, I support internal transformation processes as an OKR Coach and am responsible for the donations and sponsorship committee at bauverein AG.”

“Last year, I had the great pleasure of participating in the Eurhonet Talent Academy 2025 in Brescia, Italy – a week-long international academy organised by the European Housing Network, bringing together professionals from Austria, Germany, Sweden, and the UK to explore a shared question: how can tenants be inspired to adopt climate-friendly behaviours? We were a fantastic group, and the exchange did not end with the academy itself: we continued to meet online afterwards, delivered presentations on various topics, and kept the conversation going.

It was there that I met, among others, Philip Möwald from Wiener Wohnen. From that connection, the idea for a personal company exchange was born one that we were ultimately able to arrange together with the support of Jennifer Nickel. The goal was to learn from one another, share best practices, and gain insight into how other housing companies across Europe are tackling similar challenges.”

How did the Exchange go?

“The exchange was incredibly enriching and varied. I had the opportunity to gain insights into several different areas of Wiener Wohnen, starting with construction communication, an exciting and entirely new field for me, which highlighted just how important it is to communicate effectively with tenants throughout building projects.

I also got to know the Social Services department and was truly impressed by the breadth and depth of the social offering that Wiener Wohnen provides for the city and its tenants. The topic of decarbonisation was also on the agenda, an area that is equally relevant and pressing for both of our organisations.

A particular highlight was the site visit: I had the chance to see both an ongoing refurbishment and new construction projects first-hand, and to experience in practice how climate protection and the creation of new housing can be thought of together. The programme was rounded off with an introduction to BIM – Building Information Modeling and an outlook on how Wiener Wohnen plans to strategically advance this topic in the years ahead.”

What did you learn from the Exchange?

“The exchange taught me above all one thing: how much you gain when you look beyond your own horizon. I learned that many of the challenges we face at bauverein AG are shared by other housing companies across Europe and that it is well worth learning from one another rather than reinventing the wheel.

In terms of content, I took away a wealth of inspiration particularly in the areas of social neighbourhood development, construction communication, and decarbonisation. It was inspiring to see how Wiener Wohnen approaches certain topics given their size and structure while at the same time recognising areas where bauverein AG is perhaps even more agile and able to move more quickly.

On a personal level, the exchange reinforced my belief in the value of thinking differently and approaching new ideas with courage.”

What differences and similarities did you notice between your companies?

“What impressed me most was this: despite the enormous difference in size Wiener Wohnen manages around 220,000 homes, while bauverein AG manages around 17,000, we share the same fundamental mission: to provide affordable, sustainable housing for a broad range of people in society, while taking on social responsibility.

The topics that drive us are surprisingly similar: decarbonisation, digitalisation, social neighbourhood development, and the question of how to actively engage and involve tenants in what we do.

The most significant difference lies, naturally, in structure and scale: due to its size, Wiener Wohnen has developed highly specialised units and processes that, in our case, are often handled by a single person or small team. But that has its own charm, it means we are often more agile and able to trial and implement things more quickly.

What truly surprised me was how professionally and systematically Wiener Wohnen has integrated social work into its core business, that was a genuine food-for-thought moment for me, and a real inspiration for our own continued development.”

What would you say to other people thinking about doing the Exchange Programme?

“If the opportunity arises, take it and do an exchange, without hesitation! It is so important to look beyond your own horizon. You always learn something new, gain fresh perspectives, and it helps you to grow personally as well.

Go in with an open mind and a sense of curiosity, without fixed expectations, the most valuable insights often come from where you least expect them. I was truly delighted that all of my questions were answered and that I was welcomed so openly. That is exactly the point: ask questions, dig deeper, and make the most of every moment.

The exchange not only brought me a wealth of new professional inspiration, but also enriched me on a personal level. I met wonderful people, built a network, and returned with a fresh perspective on my own work. That is what truly makes a difference, those genuine, human connections at eye level.

So: be brave, sign up, and step outside your comfort zone. It is absolutely worth it!”

About the Exchange Programme

The Exchange Programme gives employees of our member organisations the chance to spend 3-5 days working alongside their counterpart in another member organisation. During this time, they learn different approaches and methods to tackle similar challenges in another cultural context.

We believe that all employees should have access to learning opportunities and be encouraged to grow professionally. Employees at all levels of an organisation and in all roles are eligible to take part in the Exchange Programme.