Since their founding, savings banks have been committed to the common good in their region. In doing so, they make a valuable contribution to civil society as a whole. To recognize their commitment and raise awareness, the Austrian Savings Banks Association annually honors the most outstanding regional projects with the CIVITAS Award, which is selected by a jury of experts chaired by Andreas Treichl, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Civil Society Engagement.

This year, a new record number of submissions was achieved. A total of 46 projects from the fields of social affairs, sustainability, education, and culture were submitted for 2024, from which eight finalists were selected.
"Savings banks have a unique ownership structure and are uniquely well-rooted in their regions. Since their founding, they have invested their profits through the savings bank foundations and the AVS in projects that bring very targeted improvements to society. This is possible because their owners are committed to the common good," says Andreas Treichl, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Civil Society Engagement.

Winning projects 2024

1st place: Sparkasse Eferding-Peuerbach-Waizenkirchen for “Project 21 in 2024”
The "Project-21" was launched in 2021 to promote innovative and non-profit projects in the region, support local initiatives and thereby sustainably increase prosperity and the quality of life in the community.
5% of the Sparkasse's annual profit is allocated annually for this project. In 2024, 35 projects were supported with a total funding amount of 410,000 euros.

2nd place:
Sparkasse Kufstein, Tyrolean Savings Bank from 1877 for the project “10,000 Trees – Climate-Resistant Forest Regeneration”
Since 2022, Sparkasse Kufstein has been supporting climate-friendly protective forest regeneration in the Kaisertal nature and water conservation area with its eight-year reforestation initiative with a total of 10,000 trees.
With this project, the savings bank is investing a total of EUR 80,000 sustainably in the region’s environment and biodiversity.

3rd place: Sparkasse Imst Private Foundation for supporting the "Implementation of a Violence Protection Group" project at St. Vinzenz Hospital in Zams. As part of the newly established Violence Protection Group, Sparkasse Imst Private Foundation supports employee training on violence protection. The training sessions are conducted in cooperation with external partners, including the police. By 2028, all 1,000 employees at the hospital in Zams will be sensitized to the topic and receive appropriate training.

In light of the challenges of recent years, civil society engagement has become even more important. A just, prosperous society cannot be taken for granted; it requires active engagement.
“The large number of submitted projects clearly shows how diverse and sustainable the Austrian Savings Banks Group is in perceiving and implementing its social responsibility,” says Franz Portisch, Secretary General of the Austrian Savings Banks Association.