Upper Austrian volunteer fund

New funding for associations from next year

Volunteer work is to be secured in the long term.(Bild: Urank)

Every week, 2.8 million hours of voluntary work are carried out in Upper Austria. In order to support the volunteers in the associations and organizations, a separate volunteer fund is now being created. It is to be approved by the state government next Monday.  

Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) describes volunteers as the "supporting pillar of our society". To ensure that this pillar endures, the state is now providing an additional 100,000 euros. This is the amount allocated to the so-called Volunteer Fund, which is intended to make the work of volunteers easier.

"Sustainable safeguarding of volunteering"
Specifically, associations and non-profit limited liability companies can receive grants "that contribute to the development or implementation of innovative measures, special activities or initiatives to sustainably secure volunteering in Upper Austria", Stelzer announced on Wednesday.

Maximum of 3000 euros per association
A maximum of 3000 euros will be distributed per association, with the funding program focusing in particular on "recruiting young talent". "Our aim is to better coordinate the diverse activities that are already taking place in all areas of Upper Austria and to develop and support new measures that promote volunteering," Stelzer explained.

The funding program is to be approved at the government meeting on Monday and will start on 1 January 2025.