Federal grant to the IRG for the protection of Austrian-Jewish cultural heritage

The federal grant to the Israelite Religious Community (IRG) in Vienna aims to secure the Austrian-Jewish cultural heritage in the long term and to maintain a vibrant Jewish communal life. Measures to protect historic cultural sites as well as to preserve tangible and intangible traditions are supported in order to safeguard the diversity of Jewish identity in Austria. A focus is placed on interreligious dialogue and intergenerational exchange: projects for young people as well as initiatives to promote social cohesion are explicitly supported. This funding makes a significant contribution to strengthening democratic values and preserving cultural diversity in urban areas and substantially contributes to the cultural and social infrastructure of Vienna.

The grant is provided indefinitely as an annual subsidy to non-profit organizations based in Austria and is specifically aimed at the IRG as well as Jewish communities in Vienna. A prerequisite for funding is the Federal Act on the Safeguarding of the Austrian-Jewish Cultural Heritage (ÖJKG, Federal Law Gazette No. 39/2021). An annual report on the use of funds by May 31 ensures the earmarked use and documents achieved impacts. Applications can be submitted continuously, with transparency and accountability being central principles. The funds provided support planning, conservation, and community-related projects and enable the younger generation to actively participate in preserving cultural traditions. Further details on funding modalities can be found in the official transparency portal.