Social Production in Burgenland

First results and future opportunities of sustainable cooperation between public institutions, economic enterprises and social projects

On May 16, 2013 representatives of social economy, economy and public institutions met for an exchange of know-how, and presented existing cooperation between economic and social enterprises at the SoPro – kick-off event at Neutal in Burgenland.

The organizer BMV (Burgenland Waste Association) conveyed first results from initiatives in Burgenland within the framework of the cross-border EU project of "SoPro- socially produced for the environment" to the interested public.

Various social projects of the 171 municipalities in Burgenland within the range of the BMV had various starting points for social production:

In addition to market places for textile production of the projects of "Carla", Eisenstadt Caritas, and "Koryphaeen" (Luminaries), occupational project for women at Neusiedl am See (innovative designs from second hand clothes), also projects with "mentally stimulating activities" (pro mente) in support of physical health of the persons participating were presented. Whether in the outpatient center or within the scope of 24 hour care, mainly persons with mental disorders are occupied sensibly with various commissioned work (pastry shop, green space care, garden benches / raised herbs beds), and most of all they are pleased with the products designed by themselves.

Furthermore, in the course of this event the first products were presented, such as wine boxes from pallet waste as well as shirts and bags from leftover textiles, the results of sustainable cooperation between economic enterprises and social institutions.

This event was rounded off by an afternoon visit of the Burgenland Training Center (BUZ), in which participants (350 participants a day) of any age may receive training in course modules (start is possible at any time) in a project subsidized by the employment service ("measures taken on behalf of the environment") in various branches (technical draftsman, IT staff, catering, metallurgy and so on).

Photos - Wilhelm Böhm