Austria [Republik Österreich ]

research partner centre PROLOKA

Giovanna Roiatti Centro Servizi Volontariato Friuli Venezia Giulia

Andreas Woppmann Dorina Trinklein ProLoka

97 COUNTRYFACTSHEET PARTNER C ENTRE

[CONTACT] pro Loka proLoka country fact sheet health care system is regulated by social law. In terms of legislation Alois-Schrottstr. 12 and execution, the public health services are a federal matter, but the 6020 Innsbruck - Austria ■ Population 2007: 8,315,379 responsibility does not lie exclusively with the Federal Ministry of tel. +43.512.200.248 tel. +43.650.2646160 Health and Women. As far as the hospital system is concerned, com - [email protected] ■ Area 83, 872 sq. km petences are shared between the federal level and the provinces. www.proloka.org Based on the income, costs are remunerated through obligatory ■ Population density 2007: 99 contributions and by the government. It is also possible to take out extra private insurance policy. A ranking of the public health system proLoka is a project platform and network to exchange knowledge and competences between people, institutions and cultures. This ■ System of government Parliamentary representative democracy conducted by the WHO (World Health Organization) in 2000 places exchange seeks to improve quality of life and personal development of everyone involved in the projects. The exchange of knowledge and th 2, 3 Austria at the 10 position from 191 examined countries. competences takes place in form of projects set in different fields. The superior fields at the moment are health, solidarity, culture and civilisa - ■ European elections 18 European parliamentarians tion, education and work. ■ Level of education ■ Social security and welfare system 20-24 years old who have completed The name proLoka is based on two words of the languages Latin and Sanskrit. “pro” meaning “for” and “loka” equivalent to “the world” The Austrian system of social security is characterised by a mixture secondary schooling 2001: 63.4% represent the overall goal of our projects: to contribute meaningful activities to this world. of centralised and decentralised elements, with benefits prevailing at the federal level. Most of the social services, childcare facilities, social ■ Immigration rate 2007: 10% Reference projects assistance and parts of the health care system are regional responsi - bilities. In 2005, 28.8% of the gross domestic product (GDP) was ■ Growth rate 2007: 0.4% 2008 ongoing: Women Skills Training Centre in Bagh, Kashmir, Pakistan used for social protection. Thus, it is above the EU average. Birth rate per 100 population: 2007: 0.92 (in co-operation with the Austrian Development Organisation and the Austrian NGO HOPE87). Almost all employees (more than 90%) are subject to a collec - Death rate per 100 population: 2007: 0.90 tive agreement. Labour law supports the statutory entitlements of 2007 ongoing: Canchas, international art and media project for cultural exchange. employees to family and work balance as well as measures against ■ Employment rate a number of social risks. The social partners are key workers. The 15-64 years old (2007) 2007-2008: School Improvement Booklet for Kashmir, Pakistan for UNICEF (in co-operation with Czech NGO ADRA). chambers of labour and economy are statutory representations of (total - male - female) 71.4% - 78.4% - 64.4% interest. The social partners strive for consensual solutions, thus 55-64 years old (2007) 2006-2008: Public events on Pakistan in Austria/Pakistan 1 often preparing the ground for legislation. (total - male - female) 38.6% - 49.8% - 28.0% (various information slide shows on the following topics: Kashmir, relief work in Kashmir, culture in Pakistan).

■ Public health system ■ Unemployment rate 2005 - ongoing: Danka, a cultural network for Pakistan (in cooperation with local partners). The Austrian health system is open to all citizens and is provided 15-64 years old by the government. Access to the individual services of the public (total - male - female) 6.2% - 6.5% - 6.0% 2005 - 2007: Direkthilfe Earthquake Relief Kashmir.

1 Bundesministerium für Soziales und Konsumentenschutz (2007) Social Protection in Austria, Vienna, Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumer Protection. 2005: EILSP - medical EU project proposal, in co-operation with Universities in England, Germany, India and Austria. 2 See Public Health in Austria, 2005. 98 3 See The World Health Report, 2000. 2005: Medical Project India - MOU between Medical Universities in Chandigarh, India and Innsbruck, Austria. 99 index - Austria

Glossary p. 102 3 Fiscal policies 109 3.1 Motivations and barriers 121 Voluntary Social Year 135 4 List of laws and regulations 110 3.2 Needs and challenges 122 Volunteer Centre Tirol 137 1 Definitions 102 1.1 Volunteer 102 1.2 Volunteering activity 102 Volunteers involving organisations 111 Representation Development policies 139 1.3 Voluntary organisation 103 and coordination bodies 123 1.4 Volunteer support centre 103 1 Organisational forms 111 1 Public incentives 139 2 Volunteers on volunteering (interviews) 103 1.1 Associations 111 1 Federations and umbrella 1.1 Voluntaria Award 139 1.2 Foundations and Funds 112 organisations 123 1.2 Austrian Volunteer Passport 1.3 Cooperatives 113 2 Austrian Council for Voluntary Work 123 and Volunteering Activity Report 139 Historical overview 104 1.4 Companies 113 3 Pool of Volunteer Centres Austria 124 1.3 www.freiwilligenweb.at 139 1.5 Organisations by field of activity 114 4 Networking (interviews) 124 2 Civil society initiatives 140 1 Background, evolution 1.5.1 Disaster relief and emergency services 114 3 On infrastructure for volunteering and distinctive traits 104 1.5.2 Social services 114 (interviews and questionnaires) 140 2 Roots: before 1900 104 1.5.3 Different societal fields 115 Support bodies 125 4 Strategic goals 141 3 The brief century: 1900 - 2000 104 2 Rules and functioning 115 4.1 Implementation of the Draft Laws 141 4 Where we stand: 2001 - 2008 105 3 Relationship with public sector 115 1 Support measures (questionnaires) 125 4.2 Implementation of Volunteers´ Action 5 Volunteering now (interviews) 105 3.1 Overview 115 2 Volunteer support centres 125 Programme 141 3.2 From our point of view 2.1 List of volunteer support centres 126 4.3 Image campaign for the valorisation (interviews and questionnaires) 117 of volunteering 141 Legal framework 107 5 European perspective (interviews) 141 Focus on support bodies 1 Overview of laws and regulations 107 Data overview 118 (questionnaires) 128 1.1 Historical overview of the legal framework 107 List of persons interviewed 143 1.2 The new Associations Law 108 1 Research and statistics highlights 118 Help & Hobby Volunteer Centre Salzburg 129 1.3 Draft Law on Voluntary Work 108 2 Economic and statistical indicators 120 Honorary Office Market Vienna 131 Bibliography 144 1.4 Special Directive for a Voluntary Social Year 109 3 Of volunteers and organisations Independent State Volunteer Centre 100 2 Participation in public policy making 109 (interviews) 121 Upper Austria 133 Internet resources 146 101 Glossary VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

1.3 Voluntary organisation ing and communication, volunteer projects, training and further train - ing, as well as coordination, lobbying and public relations. 7 The term voluntary organisation ( Freiwilligenorganisation ) includes all kinds of local authorities (federal, state, municipality and federation of municipalities), other legal persons of public and private 2 Volunteers on volunteering (interviews) 1 Definitions law, as well as associations of individuals without legal entity. A capa - V OLUNTEERING A CROSS E UROPE ble association of individuals can also be a majority of individuals The interviewees call upon the State to give guidelines and basic pooled together for durable general advancement. An organisation infrastructure on volunteering to strengthen people’s feeling of respon - 1.1 Volunteer has to demonstrate a minimum of organisational frame to meet the sibility for each other. Since 2001 International Year of Volunteers (IYV), criterions of a voluntary organisation. 6 the State has tried to give some guidelines by arranging its own political A Volunteer ( Freiwilliger ) is an individual achieving benefits in an organisational framework without financial gain field on volunteering, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and for the promotion of general public, but without being in the frame of any professional education. Training and fur - Consumer Protection. Furthermore, the Council for Voluntary Work was ther trainings as a volunteer also constitute part of the definition. 4 1.4 Volunteer support centre constituted in 2003, composed of members from Federal Ministries and NGOs of all societal areas and is currently in its second mandate. Its A volunteer support centre ( Freiwilligenzentrum ) is the first con - commissions devised a definition of volunteering closely linked to the 1.2 Volunteering activity tact point for people willing to engage in volunteering and for organ - following idea of one interviewee on volunteering: “Volunteering is a isations providing voluntary work. It can be characterised as the first form of voluntary activity which occurs outside ones´ own family or own According to “Volunteers Action Programme” from the Austrian Council for Voluntary Work ( Österreichischer Rat address for both sides on questions regarding volunteering. Main social surroundings. In contrast, secondary volunteering, such as neigh - für Freiwilligenarbeit ), volunteering activity ( Freiwillige Arbeit ) is defined on the basis of the following features: tasks of volunteer support centres are the use, consultation, interme - bourly help, does not belong to the idea of volunteering. Volunteering • Voluntary but within a frame. diation and attendance of volunteers. Further tasks include network - regards all fields of social, ecological, cultural and sport activity.” • Work performance without any relevant payment in the sense of regular employment. • Directed to the community or the benefit of thirds and not for the benefit of one’s self, family or household. • Of a given duration or regularity. • Not engaging within the frame of training or further training. • Usually within the frame of an institutional organisation, platform, initiative, group - without obligation from the State. • Including the formal and informal dimension. Within formal activity, activities occurring in the frame of associations, organisations or institutions, are considered. Informal activity regards all activities without an institutional framework, for example, neighbourly help (Nachbarschaftshilfe ).

The term voluntary activity has to be distinguished from honorary office ( Ehrenamtliche Tätigkeit ) where individ - uals are elected to an unpaid office within an institution for a limited period and are accountable for their “office”. 5

4 See Draft Law on Voluntary Work, 2004. 6 See Draft Law on Voluntary Work, 2004. 102 5 See Volunteers Action Programme, 2004. 7 http://www.freiwilligenweb.at 103 Historical overview VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

4 Where we stand: 2001 - 2008 activity in his/her leisure time. Furthermore, there is an ongoing dis - cussion on how to improve voluntary work in Austria and a Regarding the last few years, volunteering became a relevant and “Volunteers´ Action Programme” has been released where it is listed increasing part of the social, cultural and economical system, just as what can be improved. Already fulfilled achievements of the in other European countries. Also in Austria, the third sector is very “Volunteers´ Action Programme” are guidelines for volunteers’ train - 1 Background, evolution and distinctive traits heterogeneous, with organisations greatly varying in size, conceptual ings and for coordinators, evidence about voluntary work and a sur - V OLUNTEERING A CROSS E UROPE formulation, background, etc., therefore performing many different vey carried out by Statistics Austria called “Volume and Structure of In civil law countries like Austria, a mixture between Catholicism and reformism is often deeply rooted. Hence, in duties and responsibilities. With approximately 44% of all Austrian Voluntary Work”. Austria the Church has and continues to play a dominant role in social reforms following the Industrial Revolution. inhabitants involved in the third sector, nearly every second person Additionally, absolutism was abolished comparatively slowly. The last emperor was deposed on November 12 th 1918, spends time as a volunteer. Austria joined 2001 the Year of the In the interviews it transpired that the predominant considera - at the beginning of the 20 th century. Austria’s political system is determined by a combination of Catholic and conser - Volunteer. Currently, the most important elements of volunteering in tions of volunteering in Austria can be best described through a vative attitudes. Therefore, the third sector in Austria is state-orientated rather than market-orientated (as it is in coun - Austria are political parties, the church, cooperative societies and strong polarisation between urban areas and countryside, as well as tries like the UK or Australia). 8 clubs and societies. a strong divide between high appreciation and contempt. The inter - The older and well-established parties, Social-Democratic Party viewees said that in the countryside volunteering is almost like a Austria (SPÖ) and Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) influence social life “must” and associations are strongly rooted. This is different from 2 Roots: before 1900 not only through legislation. The traditional interdependence cities, where no “must” exists and it is more a matter of one’s own between these political parties on the one hand and labour, particu - engagement. What in the countryside remains important may be Prior to the 20 th century, the third sector in Austria was dominated by the Catholic Church and its followers, sim - larly the catholic-social movement, on the other is based on historical seen in urban areas as amusing. The urban population has got its ilar to many other countries, but there were also a few commoners in the greater cities who were initiating small-scale reasons. Many NPOs were founded in the periphery of these parties own picture, ranging from positive consideration of volunteering to social welfare systems which were limited to the local level. Another aspect of volunteering before 1900 was the pos - and, up until today, are partly influenced by them. The churches and the question “Are you stupid to work unpaid?” . The current tone is sibility to form free clubs and societies and in 1867, a bill was passed regarding this. In 1873, the foundation of coop - mainly the Catholic Church, due to their size in Austria, mainly give somehow “everything voluntary is stupid ” or “I am not stupid to work erative societies was enabled through the introduction of the cooperative societies’ law. The establishment of free clubs distinction to the third sector. Cooperative societies have lost their unpaid ”, but this remains a question of mentality. The interviewees and societies laid the foundation for most not for profit organisations (NPOs) that are known today in Austria. influence in the last few years, but are still important. Currently, the pointed out that engagement in social and ecological fields is highly free clubs and societies play a major role in Austrian society. appreciated by society, because spending leisure time in this way means having a positive personality that is led by values. Next to 3 The brief century: 1900 - 2000 much appreciation, there is also confusion about how to keep all 5 Volunteering now (interviews) these things together. Although Austrians are mostly open towards Since 1980, the total amount of volunteering has decreased in Austria. The quota of people who work for NPOs campaigns concerning volunteering, volunteering is not a very impor - and the average time per person and week has also been reduced. Especially involved in this redeployment are infor - About the state of the art of volunteering, some negative and tant topic in Austria, and therefore more advertising could help to mal forms of volunteering, like neighbourly help; this could be a sign of structural changes within the Austrian socie - some positive statements emerged. Rather negative is that the State enhance the awareness level. ty. Formal volunteering has increased in the last decades of the 20th century, especially in the religious sector, but the is handing over more and more of its duties to volunteers. Since vol - cause of this change is not clearly explained yet. The trend of the membership figures of the Catholic Church would unteers also need professionals which take care of them and train As far as the desired role of volunteering is concerned, the inter - suggest a different result. 9 them, saving is not very high. Additionally, some interviewed people viewees said appreciation and framework conditions should be mentioned that the market for volunteering is saturated and some improved to make it more affordable. The questions occurring about

8 See Anheier/Seibel, 1990. organisations compete with others for volunteers. Quite positive is the desired role are “What should change?” and “Are we satisfied 104 9 See Badelt/Hollerweger, 2001. that almost every second Austrian is somehow engaged in voluntary with the roles and functions of volunteer involving organisations?” . 105 austria Legal framework

About the future of volunteering in Austria, the interviewees had the them. It means strengthening cohesion, people are doing some - following thoughts: thing together and it has a high significance. • As the most common difficulties of the majority of organisations • As most people have to work for earning their wages, one must occur in their connection to administration and politics, the inter - have free time and a social basis for voluntary work. Volunteering action between these actors should change, especially in the should be no competitor to paid work or to the social duties of areas of appreciation, determination of juridical structures, finan - the state. Volunteering can enrich social services but not replace 1 Overview of laws and regulations cial resources, will for cooperation, know-how of organisations them. V OLUNTEERING A CROSS E UROPE and the interplay between politics, administration and NGOs. • Finally, volunteering should be a matter of course for the Austria has no specific law defining the third sector. It has regulations applicable to volunteers for the voluntary • Voluntary work can be described as “endowing a sense to life” . Austrian people, and in this the interviewees see United States or fire brigades and disaster relief organisations, which are provided at state level. Each of the nine States 10 has its own Individuals have to search for an activity giving this sense to Great Britain as a model. State act governing the fire brigades and disaster relief. As there is no special law on volunteering, general laws have to be applied by the volunteer involving organisations. The federal level provides organisational laws defining the framework of different organisational forms in the third sector and the General Social Insurance Act ( Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz, ASVG ). Since 2001 was declared the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) and an ongoing discussion ensued on whether to regulate all tasks on volunteering in a single Volunteers Act, the Austrian Council for Voluntary Work devised the “Volunteers Action Programme” and a draft law defining voluntary work. The lack of a legal definition of the Austrian third sector that still exists is apparent within these documents.

1.1 Historical overview of the legal framework

1867: With the States Act ( Staatsgrundgesetz ), defining the common rights of Austrian citizens, the right to incor - porate associations and the freedom of gathering were fixed. The States Act can be described as the evolution of Austria’s third sector. According to Article 12 of the State Constitution: “Austrian citizens have the right to assemble and to form associations. The exercise of these rights is regulated by special laws.” 11 1873: With the Law on Cooperatives (Genossenschaftsgesetz ) the second important component in the evolution of the third sector was fixed. 12 1906: With the Law on Limited Liability Company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, GmbH ) another com - ponent describing parts of the third sector was fixed. 13 1951: After World War II, the Association Law was assumed in the States Act of Austria’s Second Republic. 14

10 The nine federal states of Austria are Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Vienna and Vorarlberg. 11 Law no. 142/1867 StGG. 12 Law no. 70/1873 GenG. 13 Law no. 58/1906 GmbHG. 106 14 Law no. 233/1951 VereinsG. 107 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

1975: With the Law on Public Foundations and Funds ( Bundes- on the simplification of the constitution of voluntary organisations 1.4 Special Directive for a Voluntary regard the legislation process; in reality they have little importance in Stiftungs-und Fondsgesetz ) the first law defining the term foundation and volunteering within. The Draft Law on Voluntary Work and the Social Year politics because of their rare application. 24 was introduced. 15 Special Directive for a Voluntary Social Year ( Freiwilliges soziales Jahr, 1994: The Law on Private Foundations ( Privatstiftungsgesetz ) FSJ ) define important components for the future of voluntary work in Following the Austrian Council for Voluntary Work’s advice , the introduced the differentiation between public and private founda - Austria. Even if they are still not implemented in Austrian law, they Voluntary Social Year 21 (Freiwilliges soziales Jahr, FSJ ) for young peo - 3 Fiscal policies tions. Before this law, all foundations had to fulfil the aim of general may have positive impacts on future frameworks. ple shall be included into Austrian law with regard to the importance interest. 16 of it in the professional orientation of young people (17 to 26 years). As no legal definition of the term not for profit organisation exists 1997: Revision of the Cooperatives Law. 17 1.3 Draft Law on Voluntary Work As a first step, the special directive for the promotion of the Voluntary in Austrian Law, there are no specific tax concessions derived from NPO Social Year was renewed in 2007/ 08. status. Nevertheless, the Austrian tax law favours two kinds of organisa - In 2004, the Austrian Council for Voluntary Work further elabo - “The settlement of FSJ is currently evaluated with the aim of tions: organisations under public law and organisations following char - 1.2 The new Association Law rated the Draft Law. According to the law, the terms voluntary work, reviewing the application of the special directive for new insights on itable, benevolent or religious aims. These organisations are exempt voluntary organisations, financial gains regarding to voluntary work the implementation of the FSJ in the future. A voluntary social year from all kinds of income taxes. This tax concession is only granted if the 2002: The new Association Law 18 (Vereinsgesetz ) can be and the aim of general interest are defined as follows: within the directive’s definition is a special year in which a person aim is written in the statute or another constitutional act. The pursuit of described as the most significant change of the juridical framework • Voluntary work in the purposes of this federal law, exists where does voluntary service outside vocational training in an appropriate charitable aims assumes the promotion of general interest. during the last decade. With the new Association Law, promulgated individuals achieve benefits, in an organisational framework, not for profit organisation under a contractual obligation. In terms of after IYV in 2001, the goals of strengthening civil society and building without financial gain and for the promotion of general public amount, this is comparable to a full-time employment. Therefore, the Actually, the concept of a charitable association is derived from better framework conditions for associations were pursued. The main (....) mid-term objective is the payment of family allowance for voluntary the tax law and it has been applied to a common appreciation of innovations of the act relate to the modernisation of the terminology • Defined as organisation of voluntary work are local authorities social commitment of young people as well as for young people in NPO. These specific purposes are laid down in the Federal Tax “association”, the reduction of administrative difficulties with a con - (federal, state, municipality and federation of municipalities) education or unemployment.” 22 Regulation ( Bundesabgabenverordnung, BAO) . The purposes of the centration of regulatory tasks to administrative authorities at regional and other legal persons of public and private law as well as exemptions are detained under: level and State police directorates. Furthermore, the association’s associations of individuals without legal entity (....) founding is simplified and accelerated; only one, instead of three, • Gratuitous work is also existing if, associated with the provision 2 Participation in public policy making • 34 BAO (1) The reductions, granted for charitable, benevolent or copy of the statutes has to be submitted. An electronic association of voluntary work, the following benefits are given: travel religious purposes in individual tax provisions are subject to the management ( Zentrales Vereinsregister, ZVR ) has been created and expenses, the provision of work clothing and work equipment, As there is no special law or regulation on different forms of par - condition, that the corporation, association or assets of the ben - the legal certainty of associations was increased. Furthermore, the reimbursement of expenses, meals and beverages, education ticipation in Austria, all participation issues of not for profit bodies efit are given by law, statutes, a foundation letter, or another legal new law differentiates between small and large associations. 19 and training, accommodation and insurance benefits. refer to the new Association Law with its impact on active citizenship. 23 basis and its actual management is exclusively and directly pro - As there is no specific law or regulation in support of volunteer - • A promotion of general public is only given when the activity The common rights of citizens also say that Austrian citizens have the moting these purposes. All bodies, associations of individuals ing and voluntary organisations, the new Association Law of 2002 can achieves benefits to the public in a social, cultural, moral or right to start a Petition for a Referendum ( Volksbegehren ) as well as and assets having neither a domestic seat nor domestic directors, be described as the only regulation that has had a significant impact material field (...) 20 an Initiative of Citizens ( Bürgerinitiative ). Both forms of participation have to demonstrate the achievement of the first sentences`

15 Law no. 11/1975 BStFG. 21 Currently three associations providing the Voluntary Social Year are promoted: FSJ - Association for the Advancement of Voluntary Social Services, ARGE - Social 16 Law no. 694/1994 PSG. Occupational Orientation Vorarlberg and Diakonie Austria. 17 Law no. 127/1997 GenRevG. 22 http://www.bmsk.gv.at/cms/site/attachments/8/2/1/CH0184/CMS1231930441905/kurzfassung_freiwilligenarbeit_in_oe.pdf 18 Law no. 66/2002 VerG. 23 In Austria young males can select between military service and a social work obligation ( Zivildienst ), but since this remains as stately obligation it cannot be described 19 See Vogl 2002, p. 11ff. as law on participation. 108 20 See Draft Law on Voluntary Work, 2004. 24 See Neumayr et al. 2007, p. 12. 109 austria Volunteers involving organisations

requirements if requested by the tax code. 4 List of laws and regulations • 35 BAO (1) Charitable ( gemeinnützig ) are such purposes fulfill - ing the encouragement of public good. 2004 Draft Law on Voluntary Work (Austrian Council for (2) The promotion of public good is only fulfilled if the activity Voluntary Work) achieves benefits in an intellectual, cultural, moral or material Law no. 88/2005 General Social Insurance Law (Allgemeines field (…) Sozialversicherungsgesetz ASVG) 1 Organisational forms • 37 BAO Benevolent ( mildtätig ) are such purposes aimed to help Law no. 66/2002 Association Law (Vereinsgesetz VerG) V OLUNTEERING A CROSS E UROPE persons in need of support. Law no. 127/1997 Revised Cooperatives Law Although Austria has a long tradition of not for profit sector, the term Not for Profit Organisation (NPO) still does • 38 BAO Religious ( kirchlich ) are such purposes fulfilling the (Genossenschaftsrevisionsgesetz GenRevG) not exist in Austrian law. The term NPO is not defined over an explicit concept neither in society, nor in research nor encouragement of legally recognised churches and religious Law no. 694/1994 Law on Private Foundations within NPOs themselves. societies. 25 (Privatstiftungsgesetz PSG) Associations, private foundations, public foundations and cooperatives remain the most typical forms of NPOs. If Because of their specific purpose of empowering members, Law no. 11/1975 Law on Public Foundations and Funds (Bundes- they fulfil the ideal of general interest, they can be labelled as NPOs. Furthermore, they have to fulfil the criterions of cooperatives cannot request legal tax reductions. The federal tax reg - Stiftungs- und Fondsgesetz BStFG) being organised, private, not distribute profit to their members, be self governed and voluntary. ulation ( BAO ) has to examine whether a charitable purpose exists in Law no. 194/1961 Federal Tax Regulation the case of foundations and funds. The aim also has to be reviewed (Bundesabgabenordnung BAO) Table 1 Number of NPOs by legal form for public and private companies with limited liability. 26 Law no. 233/1951 Association Law (Vereinsgesetz VereinsG) Furthermore, the possible tax reductions can be differentiated Law no. 58/1906 Law on Limited Liability Companies (Gesetz Legal form of not for profit organisation Total number into Corporate Income Tax that NPOs are exempted from, Value über Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung GmbHG) Associations (2005) 108,459 Added Tax (VAT), which NPOs have to pay with a reduced rate, or with Law no. 70/1873 Cooperatives Law (Genossenschaftsgesetz GenG) Private Foundations (2002, estimated number) 115 total exemption depending on their field of activity. NPOs do not have Law no. 142/1867 States Act on the Common Citizens´ Rights Public Foundations (2003) 475 to pay Capital Transfer Tax except on the transferred commodities that (Staatsgrundgesetz über die allgemeinen Rechte der Staatsbürger Not for profit corporations (2006) 310 fall under the definition of immovable property. 27 StGG) Cooperatives (1999) 297

Total 109,346

Source: Neumayr et al. 2007, p. 14.

1.1 Associations

Associations ( Verein ) are the most common form of NPO in Austria. A law on associations exists since the 1867 States Act ( Staatsgrundgesetz ), which was last renewed in 2002. In 2005, 108,459 associations were registered in Austria. The administrative and financial effort for the constitution of an association is small, which explains their large amount. The concept of an association is defined according to the features below described. An association is: 25 See Federal Tax Regulation ( Bundesabgabenordnung BAO ). 26 See Brändle/Schnetzer 2002. • Voluntary. 110 27 See Neumayr et al. 2007, p. 15. • Based on duration. 111 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

• Organised on the basis of statutes and of at least two persons. 1.2 Foundations and Funds Table 3 Foundations in Austria 2002 • Established through a specific, lawful and common aim. Type of Foundation Number Percentage of all Foundations Percentage of Not for-Profit Foundations • Continuing through community activities. Foundations and Funds ( Stiftungen und Fonds ) in legal terms Receiving its own legal personality with a separate legal entity, an are a property of mass, set up for executing a particular aim. Total number of Foundations 2,896 100.00 - association meeting the criterions of a not for profit organisation can - Foundations and Funds are given legal status; the constant dedication Thereof: Private Foundations 2,306 82.92 - not be used for profit. The liability of the association is restricted to the is done by transferring an asset to an already existing legal entity with Thereof: Public Foundations 475 17.08 - association’s assets. The association must be announced at the com - a corresponding obligation of the application or through the creation Not for Profit Foundations 590 21.22 100.00 petent authority of associations, which is the district’s authority or local of a separate legal entity. An important distinction is made between a Not for Profit Private Foundations (approx.) 115 4.14 19.49 government’s authority of the region the association will be based in. permanent dedication in the sense of a Foundation; and a temporary The main decision-making organ of an association is the assembly. dedication in form of a Fund. Federal Foundations 214 7.70 36.27 Disputes concerning the association must be regulated by an arbitra - In Austria two different forms of Foundations exist: Private State Foundations 261 9.39 44.24 tion body. Since the 2002’s Association Law, a graduated duty for Foundations, governed by the Private Foundation Law; and Public Source: Schneider et al. 2007, p. 66. accounting was introduced. Small associations have to create a rev - Foundations and Funds, governed by the State Law. For Foundations state level, the rules of the Federal Foundation and Funds Law are limited to the Cooperative’s assets. For the constitution of a enue and expenditure account with a balance sheet. From a certain and Funds, whose assets are aimed at the fulfilment of charitable or accordingly applied. A Public Foundation has to propose general or Cooperative, a statutory subject with the matter of the Cooperative threshold, large associations have to make a qualified accounting. 28 not for profit purposes, and whose duties go beyond the sphere of charitable objectives, while a Private Foundation does not have to ful - and an entry into the register of Cooperatives is necessary. The main Table 2 Associations in Austria 2002 fil this requirement. An estimated five percent of Private Foundations aims of a Cooperative are the promotion, acquisition and marketing fulfil the aim of general interest . activities of its members. Because of the broad definition of this aim Type of association Total Number Percentage A Foundation has no members; its liability is limited to the foun - and an additional opportunity to fix the not for profit goal in the Sports and gymnastics 24,368 22.91 dation’s assets. The Foundation’s formation is supported by a founda - statutes, many Cooperatives can be defined as NPOs. 30 Saving associations 16,001 15.04 tion letter ( Stiftungsbrief ); it has a governing board and, from certain Cultural associations 14,889 14.00 sizes on, a supervisory board. The possible NPO character derives Charity and welfare associations 6,649 6.25 from the objective orientation of a foundation. 29 1.4 Companies Professional associations 5,841 5.49 Garden, allotment, settlement and livestock breeder associations 5,425 5.10 A Private Limited Liability Company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränk - Friendship associations 5,655 5.32 1.3 Cooperatives ter Haftung, GmbH ) is a company whose shareholders are propor - Parents associations 4,024 3.78 tionate to the company’s registered capital. The Company receives Comradeship and other former military personnel 1,958 1.84 Cooperatives ( Genossenschaften ) are societies that aim to sup - the status of a legal body with its own legal personality and has to be Student associations 1,322 1.24 port the assets or the economy of their members by promoting com - entered into the commercial register. Elected by the general assem - Religious associations 1,123 1.06 munity business. Currently, there are about 1,950 Cooperatives regis - bly, the general managers are the main representatives of a Colleagues` associations 418 0.39 tered in Austria. As long as no profits are paid to the members, Company. If of a certain size and if acting as a supervisory board to Rotary Clubs, Lions-Clubs, Schlaraffia 414 0.39 Cooperatives can be defined as NPOs. Cooperatives are associations all shareholders, a general assembly or a shareholders’ meeting is Other associations 18,276 17.18 with an open number of members; the liability of a Cooperative is necessary. A Company may be defined as NPO, if the pursuit of an Total 106,363 100 Source: Schneider et al. 2007, p. 65.

29 See ibid. p. 226f. 112 28 See Nowotny/ Fida 2007, p. 215f. 30 See ibid. p. 218f. 113 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

orientation coherent to the not for profit mission is specified in its 1.5.1 Disaster relief and emergency services tions working on migration issues, care organisations, etc. Since social Associations´ business and relations with the outside world. social contract. 31 service organisations work on the federal, state and local level, they The general assembly is the supreme body in decisions based on A Public Limited Company ( Aktiengesellschaft, AG ) is a corpora - The first group of organisations involving volunteers contains all meet different politicians in charge according to their level of activity. business, with no distinction being made between ordinary and tion with its own legal status, which must hold capital of at least € kinds of so-called “blue organisations”. Fire brigades are the responsi - extraordinary management decisions. 50,000. The Company’s constitution follows the existence of statutes; bility of the nine federal states; each state governs them with its own The governing body has to consist of at least two natural persons. the main organs are the general meeting, the board and the supervi - laws and regulations. Each state has its own fire brigade association, 1.5.3 Different societal fields A supervision body is not compulsory in Austria. Disputes arising sory board. Whether a Public Company meets the criteria of a NPO whereas the umbrella organisation of all fire brigade organisations is at from the Association relationship have to be solved in front of an arbi - depends on its aim. 32 national level. All forms of disaster relief organisations belong to the not The third group of organisations involving volunteers has the tration body. for profit sector, with their regulations being governed at state level. 33 broadest definition. All fields not covered by organisations mentioned In conclusion, the Association Law ensures the greatest possible above fall under the third group, which consists of, for example, cul - freedom to the organisational framework of different Associations. 34 1.5 Organisations by field of activity ture, the protection of the environment, nature and animals, sports, 1.5.2 Social services education, religion, law, advocacy, politics, etc. As most organisations involving volunteers are Associations, the 3 Relationship with public sector differences between them lie mainly in their field of activity. Hence, The second group of organisations involving volunteers is the volunteer organisations carry out all kinds of formal volunteering and one that groups all kinds of social services. This is the largest field of 2 Rules and functioning 3.1 Overview can, according to the Austrian Council for Voluntary Work, be divided volunteer involving organisations. Social services comprise different into three groups. aid organisations, pensioners’ associations, self-help groups, associa - Since Associations represent the most popular and most impor - To understand the Austrian not for profit sector, it is necessary to tant form of NPOs involving volunteers, the most common practices know central elements about the Austrian political and societal struc - Table 4 Organisations involving volunteers after their main field of activity 2000 associated with them are defined in this chapter. ture, which influence the third sector. Firstly, Austria is a Federal State, The Association Law specifies that Associations have to be organ - hence this ideal and the idea of self-administration affects the NPO Main field of activity Volunteers within the organisations Percentage ised with statutes. The founders of an Association jointly decide the sector significantly. Many organisations are constituted at the federal, Disaster relief and emergency aid 19,739 8.9 statutes, where the name, aim, means for achieving the aim and loca - state and local level and find in regional government institutions their Social services 52,382 23.6 tion of the Association are regulated. The statutes must include a sys - political responsibilities, while their national umbrella organisations Culture 35,374 15.9 tem of contributions, regulations for entry and exit, the rights and have less political power. Protection of the environment, nature and animals 12,579 5.7 obligations of its members, board elections, and the settlement of dis - Austria is standing in the tradition of corporatism and professional Sports 34,267 15.4 putes arising from the Associations` relationship. Furthermore, the organisations, which constitute now the social partnership Education 11,742 5.3 assembly of the members and provisions on the dissolution of the (Sozialpartnerschaft ). The professional interest organisations with Religious services 31,610 14.2 Association as well as the further use of the associations` assets has obligatory membership in the chambers (Austrian Federal Economic Law, advocacy and politics 22,722 10.2 to be regulated in the statutes. Chamber WKÖ, Federal Chamber of Labour BAK, Chamber of Neighbourly help 1,650 0.7 Associations have their own legal status; the liability of an Agriculture LK) and voluntary membership in the federations Total 222,065 100.0 Association is limited to the Associations` assets. The main institutions (Federation of Austrian Trade Unions, ÖGB), strongly influence politics. Source: Badelt/ Hollerweger 2007, p. 511. involved in the decision-making procedures of the association mem - Austrian political parties are also defined as NPOs; large sections bers are the assembly and a representation organ, which leads the of traditional and economically important NPOs are still under direct

31 See ibid. p. 221f. 32 See ibid. p. 224f. 114 33 See Heitzmann 2001, p. 145ff. 34 See Nowotny/ Fida 2007, p. 215ff. 115 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

or indirect influence of the larger political parties (Austrian’s People at state level find their political responsible party in local governments Questions regarding the insurance issue are not yet solved. In the tionship between paid staff, volunteers and public sector as good. Party ÖVP, Social Democratic Party of Austria SPÖ). A strong interde - and authorities. Their national umbrella organisations find their part - “Volunteers Action Programme”, civil liability insurance with recircula - As far as the participation of the voluntary sector in the definition pendency between political parties and NPOs is typical for Austria, ners at federal level. Many of the state organisations enjoy more polit - tion of the cost to public authorities is considered. Accident insurance of public policies is concerned, it was felt by respondents that the vol - which explains why some NPOs have greater influence on politics. ical power and rights than the federal ones. Regional sub-organisa - currently exists in “blue organisations”, social services and in the long untary sector was sometimes still overlooked and that financial support For new NPOs not under the influence of political parties, it is difficult tions and independent NPOs without connections to parties or term will be introduced to the Voluntary Social Year. 37 is inadequate. On the positive side, according to other respondents: to become established. church, and these enjoy the least political power. 35 “Since 2001 International Year of Volunteers, the Austrian government The churches, especially the Catholic Church, have also played has significantly increased the participation of the voluntary sector.” In an important role in the historical evolution of Austrian NPOs. Many With total revenues of up to 50 percent, the third sector is 3.2 From our point of view addition, another said “Quite good, the support and advertisement of the large NPOs are directly connected to the church. Austria’s third financed mainly by the public sector. There are two different forms of (interviews and questionnaires) provided are satisfying, even if financial support is not adequate.” sector can be characterised through a huge number of associations, revenues given by the public sector: government grants (lump sum which occur on the one hand through traditional large organisations subsidies) and performance-based contracts (PBCs). For receiving The interviewees described the relationship between volunteer The primary opinion in the interviews about support to volun - (e.g. Public Social Aid, Caritas, Red Cross) with national and regional Lump sum subsidies, NPOs have to file an application form with the involving organisations and the public sector as ambivalent, complex and teering described it as rather mediocre. Different statements about structures and, on the other hand, through an increasing number of project specifications. This form of revenue is only given for a short often uneasy. Volunteers have lots of engagement while people in the situation are listed below: independent associations active in every field of volunteering, with period. With performance-based contracts, both parties - the public administration have rather different tasks. The public sector is working The official statement says: “Everything is okay”. However, if the mainly regional structures. responsible party and the NPO, have to specify in a contract the serv - more in strategic moments. The approach is difficult. As public relations voluntary organisations did not exist, the State would have to consid - Most rights and duties derive directly from the specific organisa - ices the NPO has to deliver. During the past years, PBCs have become can be annoying, because of distrust, conflicts remain about professional er how to fulfil all social tasks. tional form of volunteer involving organisation . Organisations active more common. 36 competences. With existing distrust on both sides, encounters between Volunteering is appreciated and supported, but has to be seen in paid and unpaid persons remain difficult. One interviewee mentioned interplay: how much is possible for NPOs and how far do public Table 5 Revenues from public sector in Austria 2005 that actually, these are independent areas. It is becoming critical where authorities want to support NPOs. activity fields intersect. More and more stately tasks are delegated to civil There are many possibilities to valorise voluntary work, e.g. finan - Field of activity Total (in million €) Percentage society, even if primary care should be taken over by the state and not by cial support, discounts for culture, supplements on further trainings Culture, Sports, Recreation 45.9 16.1 NPOs. For this reason, the Council for Voluntary Work tries to supply an regarding the activity, prizes and appreciation in a symbolical area. Education and research 121.9 58.6 institutionalised dialogue to organisations. One of the interviewees rated Currently there is a high potential for more things to be done. Health 436 49.0 the cooperation with the public sector in principle as good, but noted that Voluntary and governmental organisations want to be independ - Social services 1,096.9 59.5 every ministerial change is afflicted with new problems. ent of each other. Supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs there are Environment 19.0 47.6 initiatives on shaping peoples confidence, appreciation, pilot projects, Law, advocacy and politics 173.7 37.8 Similarly, what emerged from one of the questionnaires was that: funding of quality framework for voluntary sector and the Draft Law International 34.4 25.3 “Public institutions, especially institutions in social fields, are calling on on voluntary work. Religion 76.0 65.2 services provided by volunteer centres. Currently the intermediation of Another issue regards the possible deduction of donations, since Professional associations, Unions 7.9 31.9 volunteers is cost free and should stay cost free in the future” , while public support comes mainly through donations to organisations and Not elsewhere classified 10.5 24.5 another complained that “Currently support from the city of Vienna is voluntary organisations. missing¸ the local government demonstrates interest but does not An exception is the sector of probation service. Here the Ministry Total 2,023.1 50.0 support the volunteer involving organisations in a satisfying way.” On of Justice pays the overhead costs like travel costs, charges, etc. for the Source: Neumayr et al. 2007, p. 7. the other hand, there were also positive responses describing the rela - volunteers.

35 See Neumayr et al. 2007, p. 16. 116 36 See ibid. p. 7. 37 See Volunteers Action Programme, 2004. 117 Data overview VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

Table 6 Fields of activity

Social services Amount Percentage Advice and guidance 172 9.6 Assistance for home care and housekeeping 201 11.2 1 Research and statistic highlights Assistance for work and qualification 477 26.6 V OLUNTEERING A CROSS E UROPE Assistance for work and housing 185 10.3 Assistance for housing 184 10.3 In Austria volunteering is not measured in a direct way like paid work. In official statistics it does not appear in Leisure time facilities and childcare 177 9.9 exact figures, hence it is difficult to provide a comprehensive and differentiated overview. Research accounting for the Therapeutic services 106 5.9 entire not for profit sector in Austria was first conducted in 1982 by Badelt. 38 In the last decade, the most important Other social services 101 5.6 study concerning volunteering in Austria was conducted by the NPO Institute of the Vienna University of Economics More than one category 188 10.5 and Business Administration under the supervision of Badelt. There are two other studies addressing volunteering in Source: Badelt p.74. the NPO segment, one conducted in 1997 by Bachstein 39 and the second conducted in 2000 by Heitzmann. 40 There is In 2001, 11,005 workplaces have been reported in Austria. Based have 20-99 people employed (41%). One-third of the volunteers are also additional research regarding volunteering in smaller areas. These studies had been arranged for the Austrian on the number of employed personnel, more than half of the work - allotted to workplaces with 5-19 employees and one-fifth work in provinces Lower Austria, 41 Vorarlberg 42 and Vienna. 43 In 2006, Statistics Austria conducted a greater study with over places have, at most, four employees. About one-third of the work - organisations with more than a 100 people employed. Many small 11,000 persons. 44 places engages 5-19 persons. For detailed information the table below. NPOs with one to four staff members achieve just a contingent of However, most people in the third sector work in NPOs, which 10% from the total engagement. There are no official data of the not for profit sectors contingent concerning the total amount of GNP. Based on a research conducted in 2000 by Badelt and Hollerweger between approximately 481,500 and 247,000 (max. extrap - Table 7 Staff employed Table 8 Number of staff by the size of the organisation olation vs. min. extrapolation) full time jobs were performed by volunteers (respectively 13.2% and 6.7% of all Austrian employees). Size Number Quota 60% 01 89 0.8% Not for profit organisations in Austria are serving many different social requirements, as the following table shows. 1 2,255 20.5% 50% Overall there were 1,791 NPOs in Austria in 2002. The most in-demand social service is assistance in the field of work 2-4 3,618 32.9% and qualification. More than a quarter of all NPOs offer primarily this service. All other NPOs disperse equally to other 40% 5-9 2,347 21.3% subject areas; one out of 10 not for profit providers has more than one subject area. 10-19 1,398 12.7% 30% 20-49 900 8.2% 20% 50-99 296 2.7% 10% 100-199 60 0.6% 0% 38 See Badelt, 1985. 200-499 35 0.3% 0-4 5-19 20-99 100+ 39 See Bachstein, 1997. 500-999 6 0.1% 40 See Heitzmann, 2000. < 1.000 1 0.0% Quota of employees by workplace size 41 See Strümpel et al., 1999. Quota of workplace size 42 See Badelt/ Hollerweger, 1999. Total 11,005 100% 43 See Reinprecht, 1999. 1Workplaces have 0 employees, when at the survey date the total amount 118 44 See Strukutr und Volumen der Freiwilligenarbeit in Österreich. could not for certain reason be estimated. Source: Badelt p.70. Source: Badelt p.71. 119 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

2 Economic and statistical indicators closely followed by people aged between 20-24 and 30-39 years old. Table 10 Amount of volunteering in Austria in 2000 The lowest number of volunteers is in the age group of people over Field of action Number of volunteers Weekly volume of work/h Virtual full time volunteers It must be kept in mind that the amount of charitable donations 70. In 2001, all volunteers achieved production value of approximate - is liable to fluctuations accounting for single events, like the Tsunami ly six billion Euro in Austria. Social services 1,009,554 4,532,898 130,950 disaster in 2005. In the following table the ten most important organ - Education 404,459 837,229 24,187 isations receiving donations in Austria are listed. In Austria, almost half of the financial resources are provided by Culture, entertainment 898,089 2,002,739 57,857 Environmental, natural, animal protection 299,363 922,038 26,637 Table 9 Ten largest organisations categorised by amount of donations in millions of Euro Sports 496,815 1,465,605 42,340 Organisation Sector Volume Emergency aid 257,962 830,637 23,996 2005 2006 Religious services 576,433 1,660,127 47,959 Rotes Kreuz (Red Cross) Social services, Health, Development aid 49.5 54.4 Political work 347,134 888,662 25,672 Caritas Social services, Health, Development aid 60.7 37.1 Neighbourly help 1,410,828 3,527,070 101,893 SOS Kinderdorf Social services 28.8 28.4 Total 16,667,006 481,491 Dreikönigsaktion Development aid 15.4 12.8 Source: NPO-Institut Vienna. Ärzte ohne Grenzen Health 11.7 10.1 hence, lose the legitimisation towards their contributors. 45 3 Of volunteers and organisations (interviews) Licht ins Dunkel Social services 10.2 9.3 Charitable donations are the third most important financial Missio Development aid 8.9 9.0 resource for the NPO sector besides public sector and service deliv - 3.1 Motivations and barriers Greenpeace Environment 8.5 8.5 ery. Approximately 80% of all Austrian residents contribute at least once a year towards a fund. There are no official statistics concerning The motivations for volunteering the interviewees mentioned Licht für die Welt Development aid 5.9 7.0 the amount of the donations, but according to estimates, in the year can be described through a variety of reasons, which are different for Vier Pfoten Animal protection 5.7 5.4 2006, 410 million euro were donated by the Austrian population. 46 each person and for each phase of life. The primary motivations are Source: ÖIS. As far as the growth trends of the NPO sector are concerned, listed below. there has been a change in behaviour. Social change in Austria (demo - • A natural duty of helping others, attended by a feeling that some - The following table shows the amount of human resources - vol - the public sector. A further 37% are earned by services and 13% of graphic trend, higher employment by women, etc.) has had conse - thing has to change. unteers for the year 2000. Most of the volunteers in the not for prof - the funds are gained by collecting donations. In Austria the public quences for the NPO sector. In the future, the loss of traditional bind - • One can do what seems important to him and which is not given it sector work in the areas of neighbourly help and social services. authorities are the most important financiers in the areas of social ing concerning volunteering organisations will become more and within his regular employment. There are almost 2.5 million people working as labour, which means services as well as education and research (60-70%). This fact implies more important. With the growing diversity of interests’ networks, the • Delivering a contribution for social responsibility. that nearly every third person in Austria is involved in this sector. To that volunteering organisations in this sector have to accept an duration of membership for each person will approximately shorten. • Using experiences and abilities for the benefit of the society. summarise the total work of volunteers, there are 480,000 full time increasing bureaucratisation, which is leading to a loss of NPOs’ jobs, which are done by people for not for profit causes. autonomy. In recent years there has been a discussion about earning money with offering services, whereas terms like commodification

Informal work is done more often by women than by men. and commercialisation have also been discussed. There is a danger 45 See Schober/Leitner, 2008. 120 People aged between 40-59 years are highly engaged in volunteering, that through this conduct NPOs can lose their original values and 46 See Spendenbericht, 2007. 121 austria Representation and coordination bodies

• Students wish to gain more experience in their special subject. • Organisation of the cooperation from volunteers and professionals. • A function of social integration. • Integrating unemployed people in volunteering work, but not as • A common convincement about meaning and necessity of vol - competitors. untary work. As the most important need of their organisations, at the first • Altruism, fun with volunteering, interest, joy and pleasure. place almost all interviewees mentioned financial support. Since sub - • Elder people engage in volunteering to gain a structure for the day. sidies are often unsure, future planning is impossible and donations 1 Federations and umbrella organisations cannot be the only way of receiving money. On the second place, V OLUNTEERING A CROSS E UROPE The main barrier for not engaging pointed out in the interviews they named different needs regarding to their field of activity. These is just the simple reason people say, “Nobody has asked them” . needs are: Even if many volunteer involving organisations are closely connected to the State, they enjoy very little political Further barriers for not engaging are: • primary care; power at federal level. Due to the principle of federalism, most organisations have a relatively weak position at feder - • Fear or shame. • appealing on people’s confidence; al level. At national level, there are mainly umbrella organisations of regional or thematic organisations. Most tradition - • Negative attitudes towards volunteering. • insurance for associations; al and large organisations (e.g. Caritas, Public Social Aid, Red Cross etc.) have an umbrella organisation and federal • Lack of time. • juridical security. branch offices having representative and coordinative functions, while the real activities occur at State level. Typically, • Lack of a strong self-confidence. umbrella organisations are constituted within a specific organisation. • Lack of information. In addition, good basic and advanced training for volunteers and Organisations at the regional level can be described as having a high degree of autonomy and political power. • Ideology - many people ask themselves “Why shall I do work of work satisfaction of volunteers were pointed out. State-level organisations find their partners in regional and local authorities where a much closer interconnection than the state?”. The greatest difficulties in the organisations of the interviewees on federal level is given. Even if they have the same name, most peer-organisations at state level are notably different • Too much egoism and no given motivation to engage for others. are on the one hand too little financial support and on the other hand from state to state. This may be due to the different forms of legislation and different relationships between the organ - • Some people just want to gain money for their work. coordination and motivation of volunteers. Since most organisations isations and their regional governments. do not receive basic subsidies, their existence strongly depends on Most organisations active at local level can be described as sub-organisations of the regional organisations. Even donations. Therefore, an important question refers to the deductibili - if they do not enjoy the same autonomy and political powers, they have the advantage of being in closer contact with 3.2 Needs and challenges ty of donations. The coordination of volunteers remains sometimes their members and citizens. difficult because voluntary work has another degree of commitment. In certain fields of activity carried out by volunteer involving organisations, a thematic umbrella organisation is About the future challenges on volunteering, the interviewees For organising volunteers, all have to work in the same direction. It is given. Whether they are constituted according to organisations (e.g. Federal Sports Organisation, Umbrella had many ideas, listed below. a challenge to shape team work between volunteers and employed Organisation of Social and Health Services) or according to a specific sector (e.g. Austrian Not for profit Organisations • More appreciation of volunteering. people in a harmonic way, because of their different self-conceptions. Lobby) depends on their field of activity. 47 • A clear definition of the term “voluntary work”. The motivation of volunteers is as difficult because work is often frus - • New consideration of civil society in general. trating and support is necessary. The intermediation between politics, • Professionalisation of voluntary work. administration and volunteers is difficult, compensations and new 2 Austrian Council for Voluntary Work • Appreciation in the form of prizes or awards. motivations have to be created after political arbitrariness. Because of • Creation of a law on the voluntary social year and solving the the reasons the interviewees said, values, aim considerations and a Since no volunteer centre exists at national level, the Austrian Council for Voluntary Work ( Österreichischer Rat question of family allowance. common voice to speak with the outside world are necessary. für Freiwilligenarbeit ) remains the most important representative body of volunteering in Austria. Following the goal to reduce barriers, which complicate voluntary work, the council develops recommendations for further steps in vol - untary engagement. Being one of the most important demands of the 2001 International Year of Volunteers, the

122 47 See Heitzmann 2001, p. 29f. 123 austria SUPPORT B ODIES

Council was constituted in autumn 2003 and meets at least once a the implementation of quality standards and the support of voluntary year. engagement. Support bodies Building a connection between politically responsible parties and According to the pool, the objectives of Volunteer Centres are the representatives of voluntary organisations, the main task of the described through three goals. 1 Support measures (questionnaires) • Implementing the “Action Programme” and building a frame - Council is to offer a forum for institutionalised dialogue on all issues The first goal is the placement of volunteers; the centre’s task is work. A European year might set up new impulses and have regarding volunteering, honorary and societal engagement. Further to promote and support people who are interested in a voluntary Measures for support to volunteering in Austria are reportedly effects on public. tasks of the council are recommendations on all questions regarding commitment. The motivation for a voluntary application has to be scarce on the financial side according to the majority of respondents • Clear decision rules for tax deductibility. volunteering and volunteers, developing an actual guideline of volun - clarified and used in a concrete manner to find out personal capabil - to the questionnaire “Regarding to the support volunteer centres: a • The government should pay volunteers’ supervision. tary work and honorary engagement, support of the connection and ities and abilities. durative or long term financial coverage for the construction, reten - networks of voluntary organisations, the devise of “Volunteers Action The second objective of Volunteer Centres is the monitoring of tion and expansion (more human resources) of volunteer centres in Programme”, as well as laws and regulations for voluntary organisa - facilities for good practices and missions. The aim is to promote and Austria is missing.” Because of the lack of financial support from most 2 Volunteer support centres tions and volunteers. support organisations and institutions, to explore the possibilities and of the states to independent volunteer centres they have to depend The council has 55 members, composed of professional repre - limits of volunteering and to find volunteers for specific application on large organisations. The relevant exception is the independent vol - Currently, Austria has ten Freiwilligenzentren (volunteer support sentatives of ministries, city and municipality councils, and represen - areas. unteer centre of Upper Austria which “is subsidised 100 % from centres) at regional level, which build together the Pool of Volunteer tatives of different interest groups and representatives of voluntary The third goal for Volunteer Centres is the fulfilment of all inter - national and regional government; the initiative for support is very Centres Austria ( IG Freiwilligenzentren Österreich ) at national level. organisations. The Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumers ests regarding volunteers, lobbying and public relations. 50 high in this case.” Furthermore, Austria has 21 small volunteer centres at local level Protection leads the council. 48 called GEMA - Gemeinsam Aktiv Drehscheibe (“Let’s go - active The volunteering support desired by the interviewees can be together platform”) which are not organised on any higher level. 51 4 Networking (interviews) best described through increasing financial support, appreciation, and The starting point for most Austrian Volunteer Centres was the 3 Pool of Volunteer Centres Austria valorisation and framework conditions. What is also requested is a concept of Bürgerbüros für Jung und Alt (Citizens´ bureaus for the old All interviewees described networking as a very good and positive decreasing administrative expenditure. and the young) which were created in 1997 by the Austrian Ministry Another representation body for volunteering in Austria is the experience, sometimes even as a kind of success. Most organisations More ideas on support are listed below. for Social Security and Consumer Protection. The main goal of the Pool of Volunteer Centres Austria ( IGFÖ Interessengemeinschaft are trying to help each other. Teamwork is judged as positive, there are • It is necessary to realise that financial support cannot come only bureaus was the creation of platforms for volunteering on municipal - Freiwilligenzentren Österreich ). The pool is an association of current - no disagreements. In the recent years distrust between organisations through donations. ity level. Between 1997 and 2002, twenty such Bürgerbüros could be ly all ten Austrian volunteer centres; 49 its members meet twice a year has been dismantled. The relationship between NGOs is very good • More financial support, because it makes work easier and is one created through calls from the Ministry. In the sense of self-adminis - for developing quality criterions on voluntary activity. The goal of the and can be described as a form of collective work. It is functioning very way to express appreciation. tration and federalism, all volunteer centres are active at state level pool is interconnecting volunteer centres and political representatives, well because of common aims. Achieving these aims is easier, as soon • There should be less administrative expenditure for getting (Bundesländer ); Burgenland, Carinthia and Styria are exceptional the reflection of societal trends with a special scope on volunteering, as a common way and aim, exchange and networking are given. money and more will for cooperation. cases of having more volunteer centres, respectively four volunteer • There are many possibilities to valorise voluntary work, e.g. financial centres at state level. All Volunteer Centres remain within a larger sup - support, discounts for culture, supplements on further trainings port organisation such as Caritas, Public Social Aid ( Hilfswerk ) or regarding to the activity, prizes and appreciation in a symbolical area. Public Aid ( olkshilfe ). 52

48 http://www.bmsk.gv.at/cms/site/liste.html?channel=CH0143 51 Because of their serving only a small part of population and area the centres on local level can be rather described as local community platforms. 49 For a short description of all volunteer centres see under Support bodies. 52 Even if the Austrian volunteering infrastructure seems to be well established, it has to be considered that volunteer centres do not exist as independent organisations, 124 50 http://www.freiwilligenzentrum.at given their permanent struggle for funding and better infrastructures. 125 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

2.1 List of volunteer support centres Activities: offering a wide range of volunteer activities, promoting sessions for volunteer guides, basic courses for volunteers, volunteer VIENNA a socially higher recognition of volunteering, the “new volunteer” meetings, celebrations for volunteers, projects with volunteers. LOWER AUSTRIA force, lobbying for volunteers. Ehrenamtsbörse Wien (Honorary Office Market Vienna) UPPER AUSTRIA Foundation: 1999 Freiwilligenzentrum Waidhofen an der Ybbs (Volunteer Centre Pfarre Graz-Ragnitz (Parish Graz-Ragnitz) Funding: none. Waidhofen/ Ybbs) Foundation: 2002 ULF Unabhängiges Landesfreiwilligenzentrum Linz (Independent Activities: information for people intending to volunteer and for Foundation: 1999 Funding: revenues for services, federal funds, community funds. State Volunteer Centre Linz) organisations looking for volunteers, advice, meetings and confer - Funding: federal funds, state funds, community funds. Activities: imparting knowledge and skills to the local population, Foundation: 2008 ences, database, improvement of volunteering frameworks and vol - Activities: help with administrative matters, visits to old and sick help for young mothers, offering courses, promoting volunteer involve - Funding: federal funds, state funds unteers management, public relations and lobbying. people, babysitter exchange, arrangement of day care mothers, emer - ment, honorary office market, offering courses on various topics. Activities: motivation, monitoring, advice and coordination for gency call phones, organisation of trips and events for older people, volunteers, regional pilot projects and institutions in the social field, VORARLBERG promoting a better understanding between the younger and older Zeit- und Hilfsbörse AKTIV Bruck an der Mur (Time and Help networking and communication, regional cross-platform, collecting generation, vacation care, meals on wheels and home and household Market ACTIVE Bruck/ Mur) examples of best practice and evaluate voluntary projects, discussion VOL Freiwilligenbörse (Volunteer Market Vorarlberg) services. Foundation: 2003 and joint development in the area of voluntary work, know-how Foundation: 2004 Funding: federal funds, donations and sponsoring, community transfer, monitoring and exchange of experiences between new and Funding: sponsoring, state funds. SALZBURG funds. existing structures, skills, education and training of volunteers and vol - Activities: exchange for volunteers and organisations, website, Activities: a variety of offers and benefits. unteer coordinators, lobbying and promotion, through events and engagement of people in meaningful activities, support of volunteer Hilfe&Hobby Salzburg (Help&Hobby Salzburg) public relations offensive awareness of the importance of voluntary involving not for profit associations, organisations and initiatives Foundation: 1999 Integrierter Sozial- und Gesundsheitssprengel Kapfenberg work and the improvement of its conditions. searching for volunteers. Funding: federal funds, state funds, capital resources of Caritas (Integrated Social and Health Parish Kapfenberg) Salzburg. Foundation: 1993 Activities: winning volunteers through targeted public relations, Funding: membership fees, donations and sponsoring, revenues information and advice for volunteers and organisations on issues of for services, federal funds, state funds, community funds, Fund voluntary work, placement of volunteers at facilities (focus on social Healthy Austria. sector) and individuals (e.g. for learning or visiting), monitoring of Activities: coordination and networking of social and health offer - teaching especially in the initial phase, regular meetings for volun - ings, counselling and placement of volunteers, gaining volunteers teers reflecting on their activities, mediation of interest groups led by through targeted public relations, care and support of volunteers, volunteers. organising and conducting seminars and lectures.

STYRIA TYROL

Volkshilfe Steiermark Freiwilligenzentrum Graz (Public Aid Styria Freiwilligenzentrum Tirol (Volunteer Centre Tyrol) Volunteer Centre Graz) Foundation: 2001 Funding: membership fees, revenues of services, donations, Funding: donations and sponsoring, subsidies of support body state funds, community funds, financial resources of support body Caritas. 126 Volkshilfe (public help) Styria. Activities: placement of volunteers, training courses and training 127 FO C US VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

[Contact] Focus on support bodies Help & Hobby Volunteer Centre Salzburg Hilfe & Hobby Salzburg Help & Hobby (Questionnaires) Volunteer Centre Salzburg Glockengasse 4c 5020 Salzburg - Austria tel. +43.0662.84929114 fax +43.0662.84929116 [email protected] www.hilfeundhobby.at

Hilfe & Hobby is a volunteer agency started by Akzente Salzburg in 1999. Since 2003 the agency has been working in cooperation with Caritas Salzburg. It carries out lobby-work for voluntarism by searching for volunteers. More and more people get in contact with the agency through a search machine like Google. Voluntary work is also advertised on the local radio or in various newspapers. It has flyers, posters and post-cards giving short information about the project. There are various newsletters containing information and there is also one printed four times a year called Hilfe&Hobby aktuell . If people contact Caritas to ask if there is need for volunteers, Caritas sends them to H&H. The agency works with people of all ages. One of the current priorities of the agency is to encourage young people aged 16 to 30 to do voluntary work. A special flyer, called jugend.frei which means “youth working for free”, should help to expand the group of young volunteers. Since 2007 Caritas and Diakonie Salzburg have been offering a six day training programme for volunteer managers. Together with a col - league from Diakonie Salzburg, H&H organised that course and is now offering that seminar for the third time. There are also courses for vol - unteers; for example a seminar for volunteers who visit senior citizens. H&H believes that is important to keep in contact with volunteers at the beginning of their work and to keep in contact with volunteer managers and social workers who ask for volunteers. Volunteers meet five or six times a year at Akzente to talk about their positive or negative experiences.

Member of IGFÖ Interessengemeinschaft Freiwilligenzentren Österreich (Pool of Austrian Volunteer Centres).

128 129 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

[Contact] Questionnaires Honorary Office Market Vienna Ehrenamtsbörse Wien Help & Hobby Volunteer Centre Salzburg Honorary Office Market Vienna Bürgerspitalgasse 4-6 1060 Vienna - Austria ■ Territory covered Salzburg and in the State of Salzburg tel. +43.01.5973650 fax +43.01.597365020 [email protected] ■ Volunteers yes, number not specified www.ehrenamtsboerse.at

■ Staff 1 full time for volunteer support and development The Honorary Office Market sees itself as an information point for people intending to volunteer and for organisations searching for new ■ Activities CULTURE AND CULTURAL GOODS Socio cultural goods volunteers. The Honorary Office Market wants to achieve a better framework for voluntary work and sees itself as lobbyist on the volunteering issue. Its mission and goals are high-quality information for volunteers, helping organisations in Vienna regarding the development of voluntary ■ Volunteering support activities INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION Information office work and the improvement of volunteering. Books, manuals, booklets Database Activities Magazines and periodicals Website, consultation for volunteers, Viennese platform for volunteer coordination and for the pool of volunteer support centres, sched - PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES Promotional campaigns on mass media uling conferences of voluntary work and involving young people in volunteering . Meetings and conferences Fundraising activities Achievements The consultation for volunteers and organisations, the improvement of volunteer management and the support of the website. TRAINING Courses

COMMUNICATION Press release Member of Own web site • IGFÖ Interessengemeinschaft Freiwilligenzentren Österreich (Pool of Austrian Volunteer Centres) Presence on other media • The Viennese platform for volunteer coordinators Presence in local and national newspapers Periodical publications or newsletters

130 131 austria

[Contact] Questionnaires Indipendent State Volunteer Centre ULF - Unabhängiges Honorary Office Market Vienna Upper Austria Landesfreiwilligenzentrum Oberösterreich Independent State Volunteer Centre Upper Austria ■ Territory covered Vienna and parts of Lower Austria Johann-Konrad-Vogel-Straße 2 4020 Linz - Austria tel. +43.06.504700071 ■ Volunteers Yes [email protected] www.ulf-ooe.at ■ Staff 3 part time for volunteer support and development 2 part time for other activities The Independent Volunteer Centre Upper Austria is the first volunteer centre in the whole of Austria which is completely independent from ■ Activities SOCIAL ASSISTANCE Support, relation, animation activities larger umbrella organisations. It might have a positive impact on further steps in volunteering and for future independent volunteer centres in Listening other Austrian states. Now it can be best described as a pilot project. Social secretariat Support for learning Activities Providing essential goods Motivation, consultation, placement and attendance of volunteers, regional pilot projects and organisations. Networking and communica - Promotion of temporary fostering of children tion, exchange of know how, qualifying, trainings and further trainings, lobbying and public relations. Re-education/reintegration Member of IGFÖ Interessengemeinschaft Freiwilligenzentren Österreich (Pool of Austrian Volunteer Centres). HEALTH Health care Psychological help Promotion and/or coordination of self aid

CULTURE AND CULTURAL GOODS Socio cultural animation

■ Volunteering support activities INFORMATION & DOCUMENTATION Information office Database

COMMUNICATION Own web site Press release Presence in local and national newspapers Presence on other media

PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES Meeting and conferences

132 133 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

[Contact] Questionnaires Voluntary Social Year Freiwilliges soziales Jahr Indipendent State Volunteer Centre Upper Austria Voluntary Social Year Kapuzinerstraße 84 4021 Linz - Austria ■ Territory covered Upper Austria tel. +43.0732.76103910 fax +43.0732.76103910 [email protected] ■ Volunteers No www.fsj.at

■ Staff 3 part time for volunteer support and development FSJ provides two different forms of voluntary activity for young people. On one hand, the “voluntary social year” where young people can ■ Activities PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES Meetings and conferences work for a complete year in a social organisation, on the other hand, “voluntary summer camps” where young people work during summer Public events holidays in a social organisation. Aim of the organisation is planning¸ application and implementation of the “voluntary social year” (FSJ) in Promotional campaigns on mass media Austria; pedagogical care and support for social auxiliaries in form of seminars. Philanthropic events Publications Activities The “voluntary social year”: 10 to 11 months insertion of young people aged 18 to 26 years in institutions for people with disabilities, with CONSULTING AND ASSISTANCE Insurance Project writing and presentation to bids the elderly, in kindergartens etc. FSJ provides pocket money¸ accommodation and meals, pedagogical attendance in the sense of seminars and European voluntary service supervision. Within the summer camps, accommodation, meals and compensation of travelling expenses. International volunteering and networking Legal and notarial Member of the Network of organisations providing the voluntary social year.

TRAINING Courses INFORMATION & DOCUMENTATION Information office Magazines and periodicals Database Collections of laws, regulations, norms Books, manuals, booklets COMMUNICATION Own web site Production of lecture notes, books, manuals Presence on other media Periodicals, publications, newsletters Creation of special communication events Presence in local newspapers 134 135 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

[Contact] Questionnaires Volunteer Centre Tirol Freiwilligenzentrum Tirol Voluntary Social Year Volunteer Centre Tirol Heiliggeiststr. 16 6020 Innsbruck - Austria ■ Territory covered Austria tel. +43.0512.727035 fax +43.0512.72705 [email protected] ■ Volunteers 60 www.freiwillig-tirol.at

■ Staff 2 full time and 4 part time for volunteer support and development The Volunteer Centre Tirol belongs to the Barmherzigen Schwestern Innsbruck and the diocese of Innsbruck and supports other volun - ■ Activities HEALTH teering organisations. Its goals are: • Mediation, consultation, accompanying of volunteers. SOCIAL ASSISTANCE Social secretariat • Further education for volunteers and those accompanying them. CULTURE AND CULTURAL GOODS Training • Lobbying activities, events and projects.

■ Volunteering support activities PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES Promotional campaigns on mass media Activities Meetings and conferences Agency work; organise and arrange events.

Achievements Consultation; offering trainings.

Member of IGFÖ Interessengemeinschaft Freiwilligenzentren Österreich (Pool of Austrian Volunteer Centres).

136 137 austria Development policies

Questionnaires

Voluntary Centre Tirol

■ Territory covered Austria 1 Public incentives V OLUNTEERING A CROSS E UROPE 1.1 Voluntaria award ■ Volunteers 1

As in other countries, December 5 th is the International Day of Volunteers in Austria with different activities show - ■ Staff 2 part time for volunteer support and development ing appreciation for their work. After 2001 IYV, the Voluntaria award was introduced by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, ■ Activities PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES where about 20 volunteers of the year were decorated in six categories. 53 Additionally, there are a few continuous awards for volunteers in Austria like the Humanitas-Medal , which is the most famous.

1.2 Austrian Volunteer Passport and Volunteering Activity Report

With the goal of promoting volunteering and encouraging volunteers to show their activity, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumer Protection created the Austrian Volunteer Passport ( Österreichischer Freiwilligenpass ) in 2005. Within the passport, all voluntary activities and skills gained through it can be objectively documented showing the evidence of voluntary work. Bringing concrete advantages for candidates and the professional development of volun - teering, the Austrian Economic Chamber and the Employment Service support the evidence of voluntary work. The exhibitions of the passport is open to all organisations, associations, initiatives, groups and institutions, operating vol - untary and for charitable purposes and are not contrary to the association law. The volunteering activity report ( Nachweis über Freiwilligenarbeit ) has been created as evidence of achieved vol - untary work and skills gained within. The activity report serves as documentation of special qualifications at job appli - cations and as an acknowledgement of voluntary commitment.

1.3 www.freiwilligenweb.at

For the general promotion of volunteering, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumer Protection has created

53 The last awards ceremony was in 2006; since the revival of Austria’s grand coalition public prizes for voluntary commitment have come 138 more or less to an end. 139 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

volunteers web as a special website with all kinds of information and 3 On infrastructure for volunteering tive, the local government will promote our organisation in the future.” ing framework conditions on volunteering. A first report about the sit - issues about volunteering. One can find information about the vol - (interviews and questionnaires) “Austria is not recognising the fact that voluntary work needs uation of voluntary engagement in Austria has been commissioned, unteer centres, organisations involving volunteers, events, projects, infrastructure, a framework and consultation. By the existing lack of which contains some kind of balance. trainings and further trainings and public policies. It covers almost One of the respondents to the questionnaires explained in detail information, volunteering is made in some ways impossible. Further strategies are the revitalisation of public support and the entire volunteering infrastructure of Austria. 54 the type of support provided to volunteer centres in Austria: Volunteering should be more considered in Austria.” public policies on volunteering, the evaluation of the model project “Support for volunteer centres from the Ministry of Social Affairs: Upper Austria and maybe following independent volunteer centres or in 2007, the first training course for coordinators of volunteers in an advancement of the existing ones. 2 Civil society initiatives Salzburg was financially supported. Volunteers web 4 Strategic goals (Freiwilligenweb) is promoting further trainings. Within many third sector organisations, volunteers are honoured The pool of Austrian Volunteer Centres (IG Freiwilligenzentren 4.1 Implementation of the Draft Laws 4.3 Image campaign for the valorisation for their work (e.g. Red Cross, Public Social Aid, Voluntary fire Österreich) has been represented at the Austrian Council for of Volunteering brigades) but there are no general awards or support. However, an Voluntary Work starting from a short while ago. One of the main challenges is the implementation of the law on exception is the probation service. The volunteers in this sector get Having the opportunity to make the issue of voluntary work into “voluntary work” which distinguishes voluntary work from neigh - An image campaign is the last requirement that has not yet been their out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed. Additionally there are a few a main issue, the Council is trying to solve open questions regarding bourly help. Within this definition, it should be clear which activity is achieved through IYV 2001. After improving the framework as an awards for volunteers in Austria like the Humanitas-Medal . volunteering, such as general insurance, solutions and a satisfying related to general interest and which is of one’s own interest. The important construction step, the hope lies on the European Year of A very important event for promoting volunteering in the past financial support from public sector. Furthermore the Council should main goal of the law is the professionalisation of voluntary work. To Volunteering and an image campaign until 2011. was 2001 being proclaimed as the International Year of Volunteers by make sure the construction, retention and expansion of volunteer achieve this goal, different portals and forums should be established, the United Nations General Assembly. By highlighting the achieve - centres. so that people intending to engage in voluntary work easily find ments of thousands of volunteers in Austria, the recognition, facilita - Volunteer centres are providing important work such as lobby - organisations. Furthermore, professional instructions and reflection 5 European perspective (interviews) tion, networking and promotion of volunteering could be increased. ism for voluntary engagement (also important for the promotion of should be achieved. Hence, marketing and public relations are very important objectives young people), achieving good framework conditions for voluntary Another development strategy is the implementation of a law on Some interviewees said volunteering across Europe differs to focus public attention towards volunteering. Public relations are work, devising further trainings for volunteers and their involving the Voluntary Social Year and resolving the question of family rarely, the difficulty is only the interplay between politics, administra - regarded by NPOs as one of the most important activities for the organisations and creating projects and networking activities etc.” allowance. A special guideline for participants to the Voluntary Social tion and NGOs. In this sense, the basic motivation for volunteering third sector in the future. 55 Effective activation of public relations can According to other respondents, though, the public sector could Year should be revised, containing subsidies at the same level of fam - is in European countries quite similar. Everywhere voluntary work is also establish a basis for professional fundraising. Therefore financ - provide better support, since at the moment such support is report - ily allowance, a reputable juridical frame, social insurance and family important, and volunteers exist, as well as people doing it and peo - ing and fundraising are also fundamental interests for NPOs. The edly provided more by larger organisations than the public sector, allowance. ple receiving its benefits. Other interviewees mentioned volunteering cumulative importance of fundraising rests upon the decreasing with the exception of Upper Austria, and there is a lack of information Furthermore, the State could officially accept volunteering as part differs between Eastern Europe and Western Europe; it may be more State subsidies in the last few years. Furthermore, marketing has which renders volunteering difficult: of applications for civil servants. The actual discussion concerning tax professional and more established in society and more important. In gained more importance for the third sector, clearly based on the “State of the art is an ongoing support for voluntary work from deductibility is also a very important point. Here the State should take Austria, volunteering is traditionally minor than in Northern or greater pressure of competition. Altogether public relations, fundrais - large organisations, but from the public sector comes actually less sup - a firm stand and include all NPOs in this bill without exceptions. Western European countries, where it is considered normal for citi - ing and marketing are different avenues to help promote volunteer - port. The case of Upper Austria is a perspective to engage other states zens to engage in volunteering. Austria for example has structures ing in Austria. in starting independent volunteer centres. Maybe and with this perspec - that are more narrow-minded; it is more typical to engage in sport 4.2 Implementation of Volunteers´ Action Programme or musical fields than in ecological or social ones. An exception is the probation services. Austria is the first and only country in Europe 54 See http://freiwilligenweb.bmsg.ext.apa.at/index.php Currently the Ministry of Social Affairs and Consumer Protection until now where volunteers work in this area of occupation full of 140 55 NPO-Akademie. is busy implementing the “Volunteers´ Action Programme” and build - responsibilities. 141 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

Most interviewees saw the role for a European initiative as posi - one opportunity and that such an initiative would be important, list of persons interviewed tive because it could set cornerstones, giving a clear definition for vol - because it gives voluntary work more weight and could establish use - untary work in the whole of Europe. Some interviewees mentioned ful standards. One interviewee asked if such an initiative would really things that could be improved through a European initiative, for go down to local levels. The question occurring is how the initiative example: has to be for going down to the level of concrete voluntary work and • Networking. at last what is it able to reach. Six interviews took place in January 2009 with people very famil - (Naturschutzbund Niederösterreich) . The Society for Nature • Information transfer. iar to the situation of volunteering in Austria. Almost all of them start - Preservation is active in all parts of Austria; members see themselves • Professionalisation of volunteering. The interviewees said an interest for engaging with other ed volunteering themselves and decided to incorporate their own as «nature’s advocates». About 1,600 people take active part in volun - • Curricula for coordinators of volunteering. European countries derives mainly through curiosity how others work associations or to assume a leading position in an already existent teering for nature in Lower Austria. • Distinctions, prizes and collective research. and which ideas on volunteering they have. It is also important to one. The people interviewed are: All together, a European initiative could commit and strike a bal - watch over one’s own national borders, exchange information and Martin Haiderer ance about what has happened since IYV 2001 and what has to be know how, experiencing different structures, thinking over one’s own Ute Bock Head of the Viennese Table (Wiener Tafel) . The Viennese Table col - done in future. structures and implementing new ones. Last but not least, a collective Association Ute Bock ( Verein Ute Bock ). The Association Ute Bock lects food from supermarkets and restaurants, which would otherwise The interviewees said implementing an EU initiative could be engagement could show the importance of voluntary work in Europe. provides different social services such as accommodation, advice on be thrown away and then redistributes it to homeless people, legal questions and education to refugees for setting up a new life in refugees and families living in poverty. About 100 volunteers work for Austria. The association offers an opportunity for successful integra - the Viennese Table. tion and many former refugees start volunteering for Ute Bock. Ute Bock is leader of the association and an experienced person on the Mira Pirker issue of integration. Personnel chief and responsible for volunteering for New Start Erika Delarich (Neustart ). Neustart offers probation assistance, youth employment Coordinator for volunteering in Vienna and Lower Austria for Caritas service, social work at school and help for addicts in the whole of Austria (Caritas Österreich) . Caritas has over 26,000 volunteers in Austria. Austria. A lot of different activities are managed by this organisation, like help for older people, refugees, people with disabilities and children. Erika Winkler Ministry for Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, Department of Margit Gross Volunteering policies; responsible for volunteers´ web and the Director of Society for Nature Preservation Lower Austria Austrian Council for Voluntary Work.

142 143 austria VOLUNTEERINGACROSSEUROPE

Bibliography Neumayr M., Schneider U., Meyer M., Haider A., The Non-profit und Management , 55-80 , edited by Badelt C. et al., Stuttgart, Sector in Austria - An Economic, Legal and Political Appraisal , Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag, 2007. Working Paper No. 1, Vienna, Institute for Social Policy on Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, 2007. Schober C., Leitner J., “Geld gegen Freiheit. Finazierung von NPOs.” NPO-News , 12. Ausgabe 03/08, 2008. Amman H. (edited by), Freiwilligkeit. Ursprünge, Erscheinungsformen , Österreich”, Working Paper No. 6 , Vienna, Wirtschaftsuniversität Nowotny C. and Fida F., “Rechtliche Gestaltungsformen für NPOs”, Perspektiven , Zürich 2008. Wien, 2001. Handbuch der Nonprofit Organisationen. Strukturen und Statistik Austria, Struktur und Volumen der Freiwilligenarbeit in Öster - Management , edited by Badelt, C. et al., Stuttgart, Schäffer-Poeschel reich , Vienna 2007. Anheier H. K., Seibel W., The Third Sector - Comparative Studies of Badelt C., Hollerweger E., “Ehrenamtliche Arbeit im Nonprofit Sektor”, Verlag, 2007, 202-230. Nonprofit Organisations , Berlin, Walter de Gruyter & Co, 1990. Handbuch der Nonprofit Organisationen. Strukturen und Strümpel C., Pleschberger S., Riedel B., Entwicklung eines Aktionsplans Management , edited by Badelt, C. et al, Stuttgart, Schäffer-Poeschel Österreichisches Institut für Spendenwesen, Spendenbericht 2007 , zur Förderung des ehrenamtlichen Engagements in Niederösterreich. Artner M. (edited by), Ehrenamt zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit: Verlag, 2007, 503-531. Vienna, ÖIS, 2007. Unveröffentlichter Endbericht , Niederösterreichische Landesakademie Enquête, Wien Oktober 1995, Vienna, European Centre for Social - Europäisches Zentrum für Wohlfahrtspolitik und Sozialforschung, Welfare Policy and Research, 1996. Brändle C. and Schnetzer M., Das österreichische Vereinsrecht , Reinprecht C., Soziale Integration und Aktivitätspotentiale älterer 1999. Vienna, Linde Verlag, 2002. Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner der Wiener Gürtelregion. Eine Austrian Council for Voluntary Work, Aktionsprogramm empirische Studie zur Ehrenamtlichkeit uns sozialer Partizipation , Vogel M., VerG - Vereinsgesetz 2002 , Vienna Graz, Neuer Freiwilligenarbeit , Vienna, Bundesministerium für soziale Sicherheit Bundesministerium für Gesundheit und Frauen, Public Health in Vienna, Senior Plus, 1999. Wissenschaftlicher Verlag, 2002. Generationen und Konsumentenschutz, 2004. Austria , Vienna, Ministry of Health and Women, 2005. Schneider U., Badelt C. and Hagleitner J., “Der Nonprofit Sektor in WHO, The World Health Report, Health Systems: Improving Bachstein W., “Der Nonprofit Sektor im Bereich sozialer Dienste: Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Jugend u. Familie, Kompetenzzentrum Österreich ”, Handbuch der Nonprofit Organisationen. Strukturen Performance, Geneva, WHO, 2000. Ergebnisse einer quantitiativen Primärerhebung” , Working Paper No. für Senioren- u. Bevölkerungspolitik, “Ist unbezahlte Arbeit wertlos?”, 5, Vienna, Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, 1997. Internationales Symposium das Ehrenamt im Spannungsfeld zwis - chen gesellschaftlicher Anerkennung und persönlicher Sinnfindung , Badelt C., Politische Ökonomie der Freiwilligenarbeit. Theoretische Vienna 1997. Grundlagen und Anwendungen in der Sozialpolitik , Campus, Frankfurt, 1985. Heimgartner A., Ehrenamtliche bzw. freiwillige Arbeit in Einrichtungen sozialer Arbeit , Frankfurt - Vienna 2004. Badelt C., Meyer M. and Simsa R. (edited by), Handbuch der Nonprofit Organisationen. Strukturen und Management , Stuttgart, Schäffer- Heitzmann K., Dimensionen, Strukturen und Bedeutung des Poeschel Verlag, 2007. Nonprofit Sektors , Vienna, Facultas Verlag, 2001.

Badelt, C., Hollerweger E. Ehrenamtliche Arbeit in Vorarlberg. Studie Huger M., Ehrenamt: arbeitsrechtliche Aspekte , Vienna 2006. im Auftrag der Vorarlberger Landesregierung, unveröffentlichter Endbericht , Vienna, 1999. Hollerweger E., “Die Rolle von ehrenamtlicher Arbeit und Spenden in Österreich”, Working Paper No. 8 , Vienna, Department of Social Policy 144 Badelt C., Hollerweger E., “Das Volumen ehrenamtlicher Arbeit in on Vienna University of Economic and Business Administration, 2001. 145 austria

Internet resources

Volunteers Web http://www.freiwilligenweb.at [German]

Structure and Volume of Voluntary Work in Austria http://www.bmsk.gv.at/cms/site/attachments/8/2/1/CH0184/CMS123 1930441905/struktur_und_volumen_der_freiwilligenarbeit_in_oest erreich.pdf [German]

Information about all Volunteer Support Centres http://www.freiwilligenweb.at/index.php?id=CH0518 [German]

Austrian Council for Voluntary Work http://www.bmsk.gv.at/cms/site/liste.html?channel=CH0143 [German] [English]

Pool of Volunteer Centres Austria http://www.freiwilligenzentrum.at [German]

Voluntary Commitment in Austria Figures - Data - Facts. http://www.bmsk.gv.at/cms/site/attachments/8/2/1/CH0184/CMS123 1930441905/kurzfassung_freiwilligenarbeit_in_oe.pdf [German]

Statistics Austria http://www.statistik.at 146 [German] [English]