An award-winning initiative in the truest sense of the word
Among the awards Hobby Lobby has received for its work are the Eduard Ploier Prize for Integration Work and the SozialMarie - Prize for Social Innovation. These awards recognise the organisation's innovative and socially valuable work, which aims not only to provide young people with meaningful leisure activities, but also to strengthen their social and professional skills.
A clear vision for young people
Rosa Bergmann, Managing Director of Hobby Lobby, explains:
"Our vision is to create a platform that not only offers young people fun and creativity, but also prepares them for life's challenges. Being recognised with various awards confirms that we are on the right track."
Variety and practical relevance in the course programme
Hobby Lobby'scourses and workshops take place at various locations in Vienna and other cities in Austria - including schools, youth centres and cultural institutions. The decentralised structure makes it possible to reach a broad target group and give as many young people as possible access to the courses on offer. The programme is diverse: from craft workshops and artistic courses to technical courses in electronics and IT. The combination of theory and practice is particularly important - what is learnt can be tried out and applied directly.
Focus on integration and participation
One focus is on the integration of young people with a migration background and socially disadvantaged young people. In close cooperation with schools and social institutions, Hobby Lobby offers targeted programmes that facilitate access to education and cultural participation - especially for those who experience obstacles in the regular education system.
Showing creativity, building networks
In addition to regular courses, Hobby Lobby organises events and projects where young people can showcase their talents in public - often in cooperation with local cultural institutions. These platforms boost self-confidence, visibility and networking.
Strong partners - strong impact
With a clear focus on quality and innovation, Hobby Lobby remains a mainstay of Austrian youth work. The numerous awards it has received emphasise the social relevance of this initiative. In order for such projects to survive in the long term, they require not only commitment, but also reliable support from the business world. A particularly important partner here is Sparkasse Oberösterreich, which has supported Hobby Lobby as a sponsor for many years. Through its financial and non-material commitment, it makes a significant contribution to the realisation of courses, workshops and events.
Sparkasse Oberösterreich thus stands not only for economic trust, but also for social responsibility - and proves how important co-operation between charitable initiatives and business is for the future of our youth.
