Vienna initiative: 1.7 million for 100 young women in training!

Vienna initiative: 1.7 million for 100 young women in training!

The City of Vienna today launched an exciting new project specifically aimed at supporting young women in training. Under the name “Women's Foundation”, this funding project, which was created in collaboration with waff and the AMS Vienna, is seen as a milestone in supporting women in professional life. City Councilor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke and City Councilor for Women Kathrin Gaál presented the idea back in March 2023, the implementation of which has now been officially celebrated.

In order to reach as many women as possible, around 1.7 million euros will flow into the “Women's Foundation”. This sum will be used to support 100 young Viennese women with their training. Mayor Michael Ludwig and Barbara Novak presented the details of this pilot project on Monday and emphasized how important it is to open up new perspectives for women with care responsibilities and those returning to work.

Target group and general conditions

The target group includes women aged 25 and over who are registered with the AMS and are entitled to unemployment benefit, but cannot demonstrate completed vocational training. The “Women’s Foundation” primarily targets women returning to work and women with care responsibilities. This is not only intended to further promote women's participation in the workforce in Vienna, which currently stands at 76 percent, but also to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

Participants benefit from individually tailored training programs that last at least 18 months and a maximum of three years. As part of the project, they not only receive free training, but also a monthly waff grant of 300 euros and the opportunity to continue receiving unemployment benefits. The average training and further education budget per person is 7,000 euros - generous support that should make it easier for many women to enter professional life.

An initiative with vision

In addition to the “Women's Foundation”, the City of Vienna is planning further projects to promote women. These include, among other things, free workshops for digitalization, the well-known “Women’s Week”, Daughters’ Day and scholarships in the technology sector. Such measures are particularly important, as a large women's survey has shown: income and work are at the top of the list of concerns for many Viennese women.

In Vienna, women also earn around ten percent more than the national average, which shows that there is strong economic interest in further expanding this support. Such an initiative can make an important contribution to offering women more comprehensive opportunities in professional life and actively promoting their equality in the world of work.

It remains to be seen how the city of Vienna will move forward with this initiative. But for the 100 young women who will benefit from this project, it is already a step in the right direction. The planned initiatives could also have a positive impact on society as a whole and send a strong signal for equal opportunities.

Interested readers can find further information and details about the projects at ORF Vienna and the Federal Ministry for Family and Women.