Europe moves: Erasmus+ and ESK honors for outstanding commitment and role model effect | OeAD

2023-12-13 12:55:24

26 educational actors will be honored for their European spirit and their contribution to the success of the EU programs

Vienna (OTS) – On December 12, 2023, the winners of the Erasmus+ and ESK Awards 2023 were presented by the OeAD in Vienna. The award went to organizations that use these EU funding to achieve a particular impact on a personal, institutional and systemic level. Program ambassadors were also honored. BMBWF Secretary General Martin Netzer, Andreas Schneider, Head of Department for International Family and Youth Policy in the Federal Chancellery, Claus Farnberger, responsible for international sports affairs at the BMKÖS, and OeAD Managing Director Jakob Calice congratulated the award winners.

“This award makes it clear what impact the EU funding programs have in the education sector in Austria. Participation in EU-funded projects not only has a positive impact on personal biographies and careers, but also brings new ideas and impulses to the institutions involved and thus to the educational landscape in Austria,” says Secretary General Martin Netzer from the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research pleased with the impact of the programs.

This year the prize was all regarding EU-funded stays abroad. More than 330,000 people are expected to gain experience abroad with Erasmus+ by the end of 2027. “Those institutions that organize and implement EU-funded mobility projects play a central role. These organizations give their target groups the opportunity to acquire new knowledge, skills and competencies during their stay abroad. The participants come back with fresh ideas and motivation. They have made contacts that are enriching for them both personally and in a work context. This also has a positive impact on the organizations and beyond. This year, with the Erasmus+ and ESK Awards, we are focusing on the diverse impact of stays abroad and showing why it is definitely worth taking part in these programs,” says Jakob Calice, Managing Director of Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalization (OeAD), convinced.

“What might be better than a stay abroad to experience the EU directly and find out for yourself what it means to be European? Young people can help shape EU projects and contribute their voice at both local, national and European levels. “My thanks in particular go to the many clubs and organizations as well as the volunteers in youth work who enable young people to spend time abroad,” says Andreas Schneider, head of the department for international family and youth policy in the Federal Chancellery, congratulating the award winners on their commitment.

“In a Europe characterized by diversity, Erasmus+ Sport plays an important role in creating a shared sense of identity. Participating in sporting activities in an international context not only develops skills and talents, but also creates networks and friendships that last a lifetime. Erasmus+ Sport not only promotes physical fitness, but also mental resilience, teamwork and intercultural skills. This holistic effect helps to develop a generation of cosmopolitan and socially responsible citizens,” emphasizes Claus Farnberger, responsible for international sports affairs at the BMKÖS.

Honors from 18 organizations – these are the award winners:

The award was given to institutions and organizations that, through the successful use of the EU funding programs Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, achieve a lasting impact on the participants, in their organization and in the wider environment. A total of 18 organizations in the areas of school education, vocational training, higher education, adult education, youth and the European Solidarity Corps were recognized:

Erasmus+ Youth: Link to the area presentation

Interaction – Association for intercultural coexistence, Graz, Styria

Austrian children’s friends – Mühlviertel region, Sankt Georgen an der Gusen, Upper Austria

Association of Sponsors for All, Vienna

Erasmus+ school education: Link to the area presentation

BG Georgigasse (GIBS – Graz International Bilingual School), Graz, Styria

BG/BRG Judenburg, Judenburg, Styria

MS/VBS In the Crimea, Vienna

Erasmus+ higher education: Link to the area presentation

FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH, Graz, Styria

FH Technikum Vienna

mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

Erasmus+ vocational training: Link to the area presentation

Carinthian Tourism School Support Association, Warmbad Villach, Carinthia

HTL Rankweil, Rankweil, Vorarlberg

STVG – Styrian Economic Society, Graz, Styria

Erasmus+ adult education: Link to the area presentation

Catholic Education Center Carinthia, Klagenfurt, Carinthia

YOU HAVE TO – Styrian Museum Association, Graz, Styria

BELT – Association of Austrian Adult Education Centers, Vienna

European Solidarity Corps: Link to the area presentation

InfoEck – Generations and Society Association, Innsbruck, Tyrol

Youth:info Lower Austria, St. Pölten, Lower Austria

Association for leisure and education for young people – Vault youth center, Steyr, Upper Austria

Program ambassadors spread the European spirit

Every year the OeAD also honors program ambassadors. “These people contribute to the success of the European programs with their personal commitment and commitment. They are role models of living internationality,” explains Ernst Gesslbauer, Director for Erasmus+ and ESK at the OeAD. For the first time this year, Patrizia Fiala, a GREEN special ambassador, was also honored for her commitment to the EU program priority “environmental protection and combating climate change”.

• Erasmus+ Ambassador Vocational Training: Sonja Karbon, Tyrol
• Erasmus+ Ambassador for Adult Education: Markus Feigl, Vienna
• Erasmus+ Ambassador for Higher Education: Wolfgang Horvath, Styria
• Erasmus+ Youth Ambassador: Gregor Ruttner-Vicht, Lower Austria
• Erasmus+ ambassador for school education: Bernd Fiechtl, Styria
• Erasmus+ Ambassador for Sport: Thomas Jäger, Styria
• Ambassador of the European Solidarity Corps: Nicole Mayr, Vienna
• GREEN special ambassador: Patrizia Fiala, Burgenland

Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps

Erasmus+ enables stays abroad, promotes European and global cooperation and gives Austrian education and youth policy international impetus. Erasmus+ offers mobility and cooperation opportunities in higher education, vocational training and further education, school education (including early childhood care, education and upbringing), adult education, youth work and sport – within Europe and in some cases worldwide. The European Solidarity Corps supports local initiatives by young adults (solidarity projects) as well as volunteer work in charitable projects and organizations abroad.

In the current Erasmus+ program generation 2021 to 2027, Europe is investing 28.4 billion euros in Europe-wide and international exchange. From 2021 to 2027, Austria is expected to receive 683 million euros for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps from the European Union’s funding pot. According to the forecast, 331,000 people from Austria from all areas of education, youth and sport are expected to gain experience abroad in the current program period. The OeAD, Austria’s agency for education and internationalization, is the national agency responsible for the implementation of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps – on behalf of the BMBWF, BKA, BMKÖS and the European Commission.

www.erasmusplus.at and www.solidaritaetskorps.at

Link to APA photo gallery:

Questions & Contact:

OeAD – Agency for Education and Internationalization
Mag. Ursula Hilmar
01/534 08-270
[e-mail]
www.oead.at

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