Focus: Honorary Office

In co-operation with the DACHVERBAND HOSPIZ, the Austrian Red Cross, Caritas Austria, Hilfswerk Austria and Zweite Sparkasse, Erste Bank supports the social engagement of its staff in honorary work.

Social responsibility has been the basis of the company philosophy since the “Erste oesterreichische Spar-Casse” was founded in 1819. The aim of the MoreVALUE sponsoring program of Erste Bank is to keep improving social and economical developments by social engagement and the support of social projects. Since many Erste Bank employees already are taking their social responsibility, the MoreVALUE sponsoring program of Erste Bank has decided especially to support honorary work with partners of long standing. Thus the bank and its staff take the path into a responsible future together.

DACHVERBAND HOSPIZ – living in dignity to the end! Voluntary hospice attendants take care of dying people and their family members. They are one of the supporting pillars of hospice and palliative care. Erste Bank, Sparkassen and ERSTE Foundation take over training costs in order to encourage hospice attendants to deepen their valuable service by good professional qualifications. Erste Bank finances training as hospice attendants for employees and retired employees.

Austrian Red Cross – support of honorary office. People have been working voluntarily for the Red Cross since 150 years. The co-ordination of the many volunteers and necessary further training should be supported so that they can be efficiently deployed in the future, too.

Caritas Austria – volunteer work is a keystone of Caritas. Erste Bank has been a partner of Caritas for ten years and knows that volunteer work is a real asset for Caritas. It introductes a special quality of humanity to social work. youngCaritas intends to motivate young people, too, for social action, and sensitise them for the problems of people at the fringe of society.

Hilfswerk – with each other – for each other – to each other. At the regional associations of Hilfswerk and at Hilfswerk Austria International there are numerous possibilities for volunteer work. Neighbourhood people from all generations get a place here.

Zweite Sparkasse – adolescents and responsible handling of money. Zweite Sparkasse, the MoreVALUE sponsoring program of Erste Bank, Jugend am Werk and Schuldnerberatung Wien have designed a debt prevention project. Jugend am Werk offers professional training in its own training workshops for adolescents who cannot find an apprenticeship on the free job market. The courses also offer personality training and possibilities for acquiring additional qualifications. The first workshop to introduce adolescents to a responsible handling of money took place in February, 2010. The voluntary engagement of Erste Bank employees in the framework of Zweite Wiener Vereins-Spar-Casse is crucial for the further development of this important initiative.