Study by Statistics Austria confirms the crucial importance of the non-profit sector for social cohesion and as an economic factor
Vienna (OTS) – The first survey of the importance of the NPO sector in the context of national accounting shows that non-profit organizations contribute 22 billion euros to added value in Austria.
840 million hours of voluntary and paid work save and care for people, create connections in culture and sport, provide international aid and protect the environment and nature.
6% of employees in Austria put their heart and soul into their work every day and are constantly on duty together with hundreds of thousands of volunteers.
„Without the non-profit sector, Austria would not only be socially poorer, many areas of daily life would simply not function
“, says Stefan Wallner, managing director of the Alliance for Nonprofits: “The surveys using satellite accounts show that the non-profit sector got through the Corona crisis very well. Despite the particularly difficult Corona years for club activities and many areas of volunteer work, for example in sports or culture, and the high burdens in the social and health sectors, we have seen continuous growth in the non-profit sector in recent years in line with general economic growth.
“
Non-profit organizations – an economically and socially stabilizing factor
Research work by NPO experts at the Vienna University of Economics and Business has also shown that non-profit organizations were not only crucial for overcoming the crisis, but also an economically and socially stabilizing factor. There was less short-time work and fewer layoffs in non-profit organizations than in other sectors.
The enormous commitment of volunteers and employees under difficult conditions, as well as the protection provided by the federal government’s Corona-NPO support fund, were essential for the non-profit sector to come out of the crisis stronger and grow.
Demand: Long-term strengthening of the sector – less bureaucracy, more impact
The next government must therefore ensure that effective, nationwide aid instruments are created for the non-profit sector and voluntary organizations in the event of major crises in the future.
The non-profit organizations are also calling for a radical reduction in bureaucracy in the funding system. “We demand: Less bureaucracy and more effectiveness. Each ministry has its own standards and rules for funding. Applications and billing are becoming more and more complex. Uniform, clear regulations and digital processing would be a great relief for NGOs and they could concentrate even more on effective work. The Statistics Austria survey has once again shown how important and effective this work is
“, emphasizes Stefan Wallner, representative of the Austrian non-profit and voluntary organizations as volunteer organizations.
Community service and voluntary work cannot be taken for granted. They need good political framework conditions in order to be effective, especially in challenging times.
Questions & Contact:
Alliance for Non-Profits
Judith Mehofer
Communication
067764784787
judith.mehofer@gemeinnuetzig.at
www.gemeinnuetzig.at