The Federal Chancellery and the Ministry of Social Affairs awarded the State Prize for voluntary and honorary commitment for the second time on Wednesday. 16 clubs, projects, initiatives and individuals were honored in five categories. A special prize was awarded for special commitment to volunteer coordination. The winners were selected by a jury of experts from around 200 submissions. The awards were presented along with prize money of up to 5,000 euros at a celebratory gala in Vienna’s Sofiensälen.
Vienna, December 4, 2024 – Around 3.7 million people in Austria are involved in their free time in clubs, initiatives, projects and organizations for the well-being of their fellow human beings – a commitment that was highlighted on the evening before International Volunteer Day with the awarding of the State Prize for voluntary and honorary commitment. For the second time, the Federal Chancellery and the Ministry of Social Affairs brought innovative projects, outstanding achievements and personal commitment to the stage, which strengthen social cohesion through their commitment and creative approaches and are a true role model for others.
Social Minister Johannes Rauch: “Voluntary and voluntary work is the glue that holds our society together. Rescue drivers, firefighters, companions of people with disabilities and those in need of care: their work makes the existing offerings in social and health facilities and many other areas of our society possible. The State Prize is a sign of recognition for the special commitment that is made every day for the benefit of others. The award winners represent the diverse volunteer culture in Austria.”
State Secretary Claudia Plakolm: “Almost half of all people in Austria do voluntary work and help make our coexistence work. We created this state prize to honor this indispensable commitment to volunteer work. The fact that Austria is such a strong country is also due to the hard work and passion that characterize today’s award winners.”
The winners
A top-class jury of experts evaluated around 200 submissions based on various criteria – such as personal commitment, impact, orientation towards the common good, cooperation and sustainability. The winners in the five categories “Innovation”, “Participation”, “Young Engagement”, “Inclusion” and “Crisis Management” received prize money of 5,000 euros and a trophy in addition to the certificate for the state prize.
In addition to the certificate, the second and third place winners in the categories received a check of 3,000 euros and 1,000 euros respectively. To underline the importance and added value of volunteer coordination, a special prize for volunteer coordination was awarded among all submissions.
Innovation category
The Innovation Prize honors initiatives that take new and noteworthy paths. Regardless of their size or whether the engagement is formal or informal, groundbreaking social, cultural or environmental contributions are made to society.
1st place: Umma HüslaHackathon 2024 | Platform for digital initiatives
2nd place: Culture and Community Center Neuwirt | Gramophone Cultural Association
3rd place: Healthy for life | Vienna relief organization
Participation category
The focus is on the integration and participation of your respective target group. Large or small initiatives that involve local people in the development and implementation of their offerings are awarded.
1st place: courage influencers | Caritas Vienna – Help in Need – Missing Link
2nd place: Peer2Peer consulting | Advice on Wire GmbH
3rd place: Strengthened by MaBa! | Diakonie One World Social Service
Category Young Engagement
This category focuses on supporting the next generation of volunteers. The awards are given to initiatives that are largely organized by young volunteers and/or aim to inspire young people to volunteer.
1st place: Be thechange – Be part of the change! | Tyrol Mitte Volunteer Center
2nd place: KidsCampAustria | Rotaract KidsCamp Austria
3rd place: open2chat | youngCaritas of Caritas Carinthia
Inclusion category
The award is given to offers with a focus on inclusion that deal with overcoming barriers, promoting integration, helping refugees or solidarity between generations.
1. Platz: Family-Mentoring | younus
2nd place: Move more together | Tyrolean Disabled Sports Association
3rd place: Second Sparkasse | The second Viennese club savings bank
Crisis management category
The category honors submissions that show how volunteering and volunteering can help overcome current crises and strengthen communities – whether at the local, regional or federal level.
1st place: AmberMed healthcare at eye level | AmberMed, Diakonie refugee service gem. GmbH
2nd place: MOMO ZeitRaum | MOMO children’s palliative center, volunteer coordination team
3rd place: Caritas cold telephone | Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna
The Special award for volunteer coordination went to the “Voluntary Social Year” from the Association for the Promotion of Voluntary Social Services.
Service point connects voluntary organizations
The award ceremony was musically accompanied by the brass band youth and TJ Hicks. After the award ceremony, all nominees and the guests of honor celebrated the diversity of civil society in Austria in a cozy atmosphere in the Sofiensaal.
The state prize was coordinated by the Austria-wide service center for voluntary commitment willig-engagiert.at: It offers an overview of the activities and offers of the Austrian volunteer centers and organizations, connects interested parties to the right institutions, connects volunteer organizations and serves as a place for knowledge and exchange Idea development.
Photos of the award ceremony and further information about the State Prize can be found here.