Vienna (OTS) – The Vienna Social Fund (FSW) will celebrate its 20th anniversary on July 1, 2024. The FSW has been there for the people of Vienna since 2004 and thus contributes to social security in the city. People in need of care or a disability, refugees, people affected by homelessness or people with debt problems – they all receive support from a single source in Vienna.
“Especially in times of multiple challenges, it becomes clear how important the work of the Vienna Social Fund and its employees is for the city of Vienna and its residents. For 20 years, the FSW and its partner organizations have played a responsible role for our city and made an essential contribution to a social and livable Vienna. I would like to thank all employees for their daily commitment and wish the FSW all the best for the future.”
says Mayor Michael Ludwig with delight.
In 2003, the Vienna City Council laid the foundation stone for the FSW in its current form
The FSW has existed in its current form and mode of operation since July 1, 2004. A fundamental realignment of Vienna’s social sector, based on a forward-looking vision, initiated numerous changes: people at the center.
In 2003, the local council decided on the fundamental reform of Vienna’s health and social services. Social security should be guaranteed even under difficult conditions and benefits for the socially disadvantaged and thousands of employees in this area should be secured. The profound change was intended to bring more transparency, efficiency and uniform regulations; competencies and responsibilities were clearly regulated. The aim of the reorganization was to eliminate duplication and increase customer orientation as well as the service quality and the accuracy of the services.
Since then, the FSW has been offering services for people in need of care and support, for people with disabilities, without housing or shelter and for people with debts. In addition, basic care for refugees was anchored in the FSW.
With the then FSW managing director Peter Hacker, the focus on the needs and needs of people themselves was promoted. Services were bundled, new offers and funding for individuals (subject funding) were created.
“The path we took 20 years ago has proven successful: people in Vienna can rely on the FSW to provide them with the support they need. Because people are at the center of the work of the FSW. The top priority is, was and remains to secure the benefits of the Vienna social system for all Viennese in the long term. My goal is clear: everyone in Vienna should lead a good life without having to struggle with existential fears. The FSW makes a central contribution to this.”
emphasizes City Councilor for Social Affairs Peter Hacker and managing director of the FSW from 2001-2018.
FSW has supported 650,000 customers over the last 20 years
In the last 20 years, 650,000 customers in all customer groups have been supported in the short, medium or long term. Around half of them were people in need of care and support. Even today, the area of care and support still makes up the largest part of the service offering at the FSW.
“The FSW has been offering perspectives, social security and quality of life for the people of Vienna for two decades. And work doesn’t stand still. Offers are constantly being developed, adapted and redesigned. The focus is on self-determination, independence and needs-based support. The entire FSW group of companies, consisting of over 2,500 employees, forms a central pillar of Vienna’s social policy.”
emphasize FSW managing directors Anita Bauer, Susanne Winkler and Michael Rosenberg.
The FSW is constantly developing its service areas and offerings. The Housing First approach is centrally pursued in Vienna’s homeless assistance system; in the area of assistance for the disabled, the focus is on independence and self-determination, and in care, numerous offers such as mobile care or day centers enable people to stay in their own four walls for as long as possible . And 1450, the Vienna telephone health advice service, played a central role during the COVID-19 pandemic and has now developed into the relevant contact point for all kinds of health questions for Viennese people.
About the Vienna Social Fund
The Vienna Social Fund ensures that people in Vienna get the support they need. The offer includes care and support services, assistance for the disabled, assistance for the homeless, debt advice and basic care for refugees. In addition, the FSW is responsible for operating the telephone health advice service 1450. Further information about 20 years of FSW can be found at 20jahre.fsw.at
Questions & Contact:
Julia Fleischmann
Press spokesperson for the Vienna Social Fund
Tel.: + 43 676 8289 11511
Email: press@fsw.at