The KDZ was founded as a NPO in 1969, on the initiative of the Austrian Association of Cities, by the City of Vienna and the Bank Austria. In 1999 it was reshaped into the "KDZ - Centre for Public Administration Research" (non-profit organization) and its subsidiary "KDZ - Management Consultancy and Professional Training Corporation" for market-related activities.

Their international projects focus on the modernisation of public governance and management, e-government in Europe, also paying particular attention to the reform and strengthening of local and regional authorities in countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe.Co-operation with the Council of Europe, OSCE, OECD-experts and CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions) ensure the high quality of our international work. Furthermore, KDZ is a member of the German local government association KGSt (Cologne) and of ELANET (European Local Authorities Telematic Network) working together with Governance International (Bristol) and the University of St. Gallen (Institute for Public Services and Tourism, Switzerland).

They organise study visits to Austria for employees of local and regional authorities from countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe and provide technical assistance in matters concerning EU-programmes and funding.