Development cooperation starts in Austria, because sustainable development needs participation. To be successful in development work, it is essential to gain public attention. Amidst rapid and complex global changes, social processes of mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue and responsible actions play a growing role.

Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) promotes activities in Austria that help ensure lively communication on developmental issues. Providing information and knowledge of the situation in the world, fostering the ability to understand and critically appraise global interdependences, linking everyday conditions in Austria with world developments, imparting insight into value systems and encouraging involvement in development efforts – these are the basic concerns of the department, Development Communication and Education in Austria.

Dialogue and commitment

Civil-society organisations can draw on a lot of diverse contacts and experience. As they are well established in Austrian society they are suitable partners for more in-depth development-policy dialogue in Austria. Through their work, they contribute to a better understanding of global developments and provide information on the scope for action at individual and political level.

Priorities and implementation

Austrian Development Cooperation promotes projects in educational, cultural and public awareness raising as well as in development research and journalism for development. Assistance concentrates on priority themes such as the Millennium Development Goals, world economy and fair trade, human rights, global learning or intercultural dialogue. The broad diversity of funded projects - ranging from individual events to nationwide campaigns - addresses various target groups to awaken and raise the interest of Austrian citizens in development policy and foster their commitment to it.

ADC also coordinates development communication and education in Austria and seeks to facilitate cooperation amongst all public institutions and private organisations.