UniCredit Bank Austria Recognises 27 Regional Projects and Three Urban Renewal Initiatives Through 2026 Social Award

UniCredit Bank Austria Recognises 27 Regional Projects and Three Urban Renewal Initiatives Through 2026 Social Award

(IN BRIEF) UniCredit Bank Austria has awarded €200,000 through the Bank Austria Social Prize 2026, marking the 17th consecutive year of the programme and more than doubling the available prize money compared with previous years. Twenty-seven regional projects were recognised across Austria’s nine federal states, with €20,000 distributed in each state: €12,000 for the public-vote winner, €6,000 for second place and €2,000 for third. Regional juries shortlisted the finalists before the public voted between 6 July and 3 September 2026. For the first time, the Bank Austria Social Prize also includes a nationwide Social Urban Renewal category, providing a further €20,000 to three projects combining social impact with urban revitalisation. The winning initiatives cover areas including education, migration and integration, disability inclusion, mental health, violence prevention, youth development, cultural participation, employment and resource conservation. Ivan Vlaho, CEO of UniCredit Bank Austria, said the programme recognises the indispensable contribution that charitable projects, associations and initiatives make to social cohesion throughout Austria.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, 15-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — UniCredit Bank Austria has announced the winners of the Bank Austria Social Prize 2026, providing a total of €200,000 to charitable and community initiatives across Austria as the programme marks its 17th consecutive year.

The available funding has been more than doubled for 2026 compared with previous years, reflecting the strong standing of the Bank Austria Social Prize among social initiatives throughout the country. A total of 27 regional projects — three in each of Austria’s nine federal states — have been recognised, together with three additional initiatives selected for the newly introduced “Social Urban Renewal” category.

Under the regional structure of the Bank Austria Social Prize, €20,000 is distributed in each federal state. The project receiving the highest number of votes in the public online poll is awarded €12,000, while the second-placed initiative receives €6,000 and the third receives €2,000.

For the first time in 2026, UniCredit Bank Austria has also introduced the nationwide Social Urban Renewal category. Three projects that combine measurable social impact with positive contributions to urban renewal or revitalisation will share a further €20,000.

Regional juries initially shortlisted three projects in each federal state, after which the public determined their final ranking through an online vote held between 6 July and 3 September 2026.

Ivan Vlaho, CEO of UniCredit Bank Austria, said charitable projects, associations and initiatives make an indispensable contribution to social cohesion throughout Austria. He highlighted that the Bank Austria Social Prize is recognising this commitment for the 17th consecutive year and welcomed both the doubling of the prize money and the introduction of the new Social Urban Renewal category.

The winning projects address a wide spectrum of social priorities, including education, inclusion, support for migrant communities, mental health, disability services, violence prevention, employment opportunities, youth development, cultural participation and resource conservation.

In Burgenland, first place went to gabarage, which focuses on upcycling and innovative design to extend the lifecycle of materials and discarded products. Verein Autismus Burgenland took second place for its work to raise awareness and improve professional expertise in supporting people on the autism spectrum. Der Gelbe Tisch ranked third with an initiative combining women’s empowerment, cultural participation and regional craftsmanship.

In Carinthia, Alpha-Frauen received first place for its integration work with women from migrant backgrounds and their children and young people in Villach. Eltern stärken Eltern ranked second with a preventative mentoring programme for families experiencing difficult circumstances, while Re:EAGL took third place for rescuing used electrical appliances, furniture and food while creating opportunities for people who face barriers to employment.

In Lower Austria, punkt.um ranked first for providing psychotherapeutic and psychosocial support to children, young people and families during periods of crisis. Tiergestützte Intervention received second place for its animal-assisted support programme, while Lernen fürs Leben came third for bringing together people with and without disabilities through educational and community activities.

In Upper Austria, first place went to Teddyhaus Linz, which provides temporary accommodation for families of children, teenagers and young adults with congenital heart defects. mosaik – Sprach- und Kulturbegleiterinnen placed second for training women from migrant backgrounds to support school communities, while RESi ranked third for its work in neighbourhoods facing particular social challenges.

In Salzburg, Sindbad took first place for helping young people navigate the transition from school into vocational training and employment. Vom Hof ins Leben (Paracelsushof) came second for supporting young people with special needs in developing personal, social and vocational skills, while Pi mal Daumen ranked third for providing free mathematics learning resources, particularly to pupils from financially or socially disadvantaged families.

In Styria, FemRe received first place for providing free, easily accessible and multilingual legal advice to migrant women in vulnerable circumstances. Mut tut von klein auf gut – Gewaltschutzkasperl ranked second with an early violence-prevention programme for children, while Odilien Lernhilfe Plus came third for its inclusive educational support work.

In Tyrol, MuTiger placed first for strengthening self-confidence, social skills and resilience among children from pre-school age. Zusammen in Tirol – Abenteuerzeit ranked second with a day-camp programme for children from families facing financial, social or health challenges. Barrierefreies Skifahren mit Wiffzack received third place for enabling children and young people with special educational needs to participate in sport and communal leisure activities.

In Vorarlberg, first place went to W*ORT, a free learning, cultural and social hub in Lustenau. Hobby Lobby Dornbirn ranked second for providing free leisure courses for children and young people from socio-economically disadvantaged families, while Wörterwald took third place for supporting nursery children who need additional German-language assistance.

In Vienna, kinderhände received first place for its support of families with children who have hearing impairments and for promoting access to Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS). BRIDGERS took second place for helping young people address hate, disinformation and extremist content on social media. Superar – Verein zur Förderung der Musik ranked third with its free beginners’ orchestra for children in Vienna’s Favoriten district.

The 2026 Bank Austria Social Prize also introduced the new nationwide Social Urban Renewal category.

Kleinstadtbiotop Vöcklabruck was recognised for transforming underused town-centre spaces into a public-interest hub for work, education, art and social interaction.

Generationenquartier 8112 was selected for its plans to turn public space in central Gratwein-Straßengel into a more vibrant area for social interaction, play and everyday life across generations.

The third winner, FENCO&friends, brings together women from different backgrounds — particularly migrant women, young female artists and participants facing barriers to the labour market — to collaborate on textile projects, develop creative skills and build new professional opportunities.

Through the expanded Bank Austria Social Prize 2026, UniCredit Bank Austria is supporting initiatives that strengthen social cohesion while broadening the programme to recognise projects that also contribute to the renewal and revitalisation of communities and urban spaces.

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Matthias Raftl, Tel.: +43 (0) 5 05 05-52809;
Email: matthias.raftl@unicreditgroup.at

SOURCE: UniCredit Bank Austria