Carinthia launches benefits card for volunteers

The Austrian state of Carinthia has launched a volunteer card offering discounts and other benefits to people active in associations and organisations, ORF reported. The card is available from Monday through the Carinthia Volunteer Centre.

Volunteers can register at www.fwz-ktn.at and receive discounts from 26 partner businesses. The discounts average about 10 percent on products or services, with some partners offering more, according to the centre.

Another planned measure would give volunteers an advantage in applications for jobs in the state administration when candidates have equal qualifications. Carinthia Governor Daniel Fellner described volunteers as a “pillar of democracy” and said their work should be recognised in recruitment to the state service.

Representatives of emergency and social organisations, as well as sports and cultural associations, attended the presentation of the card and the wider package of measures.

A similar system is already used by municipalities, where it has produced positive experiences, said Günter Vallant, president of the municipal association. He said the arrangements helped people working for fire brigades, rescue services and care organisations continue their activities during the day, particularly in rural parts of Carinthia.

Companies could also benefit in future if they allow volunteer firefighters to leave work for emergency deployments. The state plans to consider this when awarding public contracts, Fellner said, adding that the legal framework already allows for it.

About 200,000 people in Carinthia volunteer in associations and organisations. Across Austria, 48 percent of people over 15 engage in voluntary work, the highest share in Europe, according to the report.