Support for Party Academies at the Federal Level

The nationwide funding supports non-profit party academies of political parties with parliamentary group strength in the National Council in their civic education work. With an annual budget of a total of €12 million, educational and further training programs are promoted that convey democratic values and strengthen social engagement. The grant is provided as a direct subsidy and enables training sessions, seminars, lectures, working groups, distance courses, scholarships, and publications. Thus, the program significantly contributes to promoting political participation and deepening knowledge of economic, legal, and social contexts.

Eligible recipients are legal entities established as non-profit, not aiming for profit, and nominated by a party represented in the National Council with at least five members of parliament. A statute pursuing civic, political, and cultural education as well as annual auditing and publication regulations (§ 34–47 BAO) is required. Applications can be submitted continuously until the end of the year to the Federal Chancellery and must include a declaration of commitment to submit the accountability report by May 31 of the following year, the identification of the legal entity by the party, and the formal funding application. Approval is granted for twelve months at a time and is subject to the provisions of the Media Funding Act (Publizistikförderungsgesetz, PubFG). This ensures that funds are used economically, appropriately, and legally, and that the public is comprehensively informed through annual financial statement publications.