For a world without barriers

Commitment & interesting facts
Zero Project, Essl Foundation, World without Barriers
Group photo of the Zero Project Austria team
photo credit: Zero Project | The Essl Foundation

The Zero Project is an international initiative that has been consistently committed to the rights and equal participation of people with disabilities since it was founded by the Essl Foundation. The starting point is a clear vision: a world without barriers. This refers not only to structural barriers, but also to legal, social and digital barriers that exclude people from education, work, political participation or a self-determined life.

Logo Zero Project

 

 

Global perspective, concrete solutions

At the centre of the Zero Project's work is the search for innovative and effective solutions that are already working in practice. Every year, projects, programmes and political measures are identified worldwide that break down barriers and promote inclusion. The decisive factor here is not just the idea, but above all its demonstrable impact and the possibility of transferring it to other countries or contexts. This is how a local innovation becomes a global impulse.

Networking as the key to change

A key element of the Zero Project is its international network. Experts, organisations, companies, political decision-makers and people with disabilities work together to share knowledge and further develop successful models. Every year, this exchange culminates in the Zero Project Conference in Vienna's UNO City, a meeting place for hundreds of participants from all over the world who are united by one thing: the will to actively promote inclusion.

Thematic focal points with a future

In terms of content, the Zero Project focusses on key areas of life such as accessibility, employment, education, independent living, political participation and information and communication technologies. The digital space in particular shows how great the potential for innovative solutions is and how important it is to consider inclusion from the outset.

Impact at national level too

In addition to its international work, the Zero Project is also active in Austria. Through dialogue formats with companies, awards for inclusive employers and publications, positive examples are made visible and encouraged to be emulated. The focus is always on a change of perspective: away from deficits and towards skills, potential and structural solutions.

#schongenial, when a great social vision is combined with very concrete, functioning solutions and inclusion becomes visible worldwide.

Back