FPÖ criticizes traffic light government: Volunteering becomes a burden for families!

FPÖ criticizes traffic light government: Volunteering becomes a burden for families!

Österreich - On May 14, 2025, the FPÖ spokesman for volunteering, NABG. Harald Thau, critically for the budget 2025 and 2026. Thau described the "traffic light government "'s policy as failed and irresponsible. He criticized the fact that ministries, luxury ranges and expenses for asylum and migration are not saved, while volunteers, families, schools and seniors were asked to pay. He emphasized the essential importance of volunteering, especially in rural areas, and described the financing of "integration-political air closers" and "absurd gender courses" as unacceptable. He led an example of these misprints: While the Viennese festival weeks cost millions of euros, the federal brass promotion of the federal government is only 140,000 euros, which for him represents a mockery to the committed volunteers who work without a fee.

Thau warned that such budget decisions have lost Austrian identity. According to Thau, the FPÖ will not agree with the budget and the priorities of the federal government and is clearly committed to citizens, families, volunteers and their homeland. This clear attitude is all the more interesting in view of the measures recently presented by the government to strengthen volunteering.

measures to strengthen the volunteer office

The government has presented a package to improve the framework conditions for non -profit organizations and voluntary work. On this occasion, Chancellor Karl Nehammer from the ÖVP emphasized the outstanding importance of volunteering in Austria, where around 3.7 million citizens volunteer. An important part of the new measures is that the participants of the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) and the voluntary environmental protection year (FUJ) will receive 500 euros per month in the future - a significant increase compared to 270 euros.

In addition, the government plans a reform of the Volunteer Act, which is intended to introduce a nationwide service point for honorary offices and volunteer centers. Vice Chancellor Kogler described volunteers with great economic importance as the main pillars of society. In order to further improve the framework conditions, funds for equipment and infrastructure for emergency services and civil protection associations should also be increased.

Financial incentives and support

The financial support for participants in the commemorative, peace and social service abroad is also increased. Volunteers, like primary and civil servants, should receive a free climatic. In addition, an expansion of the deductibility of donations to non-profit organizations is planned, supplemented by the introduction of an energy cost subsidy for non-profit organizations. Also new: An annual allocation of a state award for volunteer work and a simplification of the application and recognition procedures for the donation.

The planned measures are in a tense context on the latest statements by Thau and the FPÖ, which question the government's priorities. It remains to be seen how these developments will affect volunteering in Austria in the long term.