ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected within the Sustainable Mobility research line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

SOULMATE

Innovative solutions for seniors across three EU countries

The SOULMATE project, originating in Austria and involving partners in Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands, addresses mobility challenges faced by elderly individuals through innovative technology. This initiative developed a smartphone app that enhances mobility, promotes independence, and supports safer outdoor activities for senior citizens. By integrating augmented reality and real-time assistance, SOULMATE empowers older adults to navigate streets, public transport, and urban spaces with confidence.

The app provides three main features:

1. Virtual Route Training: Augmented reality technology allows users to familiarise themselves with outdoor routes using indoor cycling experiences.
2. Live Navigation and Emergency Support: The app offers tailored routes, an emergency SOS button, and live video support to enhance safety during travel.
3. Monitoring Options: Users can choose to share their route progress with trusted individuals for added peace of mind.

The project is grounded in co-creation, with seniors actively participating in workshops and testing across Austria. Early results showed strong interest, with participants eager to continue using the app. Despite challenges such as the digital learning curve for older users, the app’s design reflects a commitment to inclusivity and usability.

SOULMATE is a powerful example of how technology can address the unique needs of an ageing population. Its replicable model and cross-border collaboration make it a benchmark for inclusive innovation in mobility solutions.

Find out more about this inspiring initiative: SOULMATE Project

More inspiring initiatives

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected within the Food Security research line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Wiener Tafel, Austria

Transforming Surplus into Support

Wiener Tafel – the “Vienna Table” – is a pioneering Austrian initiative addressing food insecurity and waste while fostering social inclusion. Since 1999, this non-profit organisation has rescued surplus food from Vienna’s wholesale market and distributed it to social institutions aiding low-income groups. In 2021, it supplied food to approximately 20,000 people, a 25% increase from the previous year, emphasising its critical role in combating food poverty.

Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Impact

Wiener Tafel’s operations go beyond redistribution:

• Efficient Food Rescue: Collecting surplus produce from wholesale markets and repurposing it into canned goods for social facilities.
• Community Education: Engaging schools and communities through awareness projects on food waste and sustainability.
• Environmental and Social Impact: In 2021, the organisation prevented 746,100 kg of food from going to waste.

Despite growing demand amid rising living costs, Wiener Tafel’s innovative approach and volunteer-driven efforts highlight its replicable model for sustainable food systems across Europe.

Learn more about Wiener Tafel

More inspiring initiatives

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

VERBUND Electricity Assistance Fund: A Holistic Approach to Tackling Energy Poverty in Austria

The VERBUND Electricity Assistance Fund, in partnership with Caritas Austria, stands out as an example of how community-focused initiatives can alleviate energy poverty while promoting sustainability. This initiative primarily supports low-income households burdened by above-average energy consumption due to outdated household appliances or inefficient heating systems.

At its core lies a three-pillar approach:

– Professional Energy Consulting
Certified energy consultants, operating across Austria, visit Caritas-supported households to identify energy-saving opportunities. They recommend solutions such as energy-efficient appliances, improved insulation, and other measures to optimise energy usage.

– Replacement of Inefficient Appliances
Through a collaboration with BSH Hausgeräte Gesellschaft mbH (a leading European manufacturer of household appliances), energy-draining appliances are replaced with energy-saving ones. This partnership ensures long-term reductions in energy consumption and costs for households.

– Bridging Financial Assistance
For households struggling to pay electricity bills, the fund provides prompt support, preventing power disconnection. However, this aid is conditional upon the implementation of recommended energy-saving measures, ensuring sustainable outcomes.

The initiative supports approximately 400 to 500 households annually, providing not only financial relief but also the tools and knowledge to achieve sustainable energy efficiency. VERBUND, Austria’s leading electricity provider and a major hydropower producer in Europe, finances the energy consulting and manages logistics, including the delivery of replacement appliances.

This programme highlights the transformative power of partnerships, combining the expertise of local energy consultants, non-profits like Caritas, and industry leaders like BSH Hausgeräte. Its replicable model demonstrates how collaboration can lead to a lasting energy-saving turnaround, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Read more

More inspiring initiatives

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected within ACCTING’s mapping of inspiring practice cases in the Climate Action research line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives. 

Team Österreich, Austria

Disaster relief actions in Austria and beyond

In August 2007, the Austrian Red Cross and Hitradio Ö3 founded Team Austria (original: Team Österreich)- a flexible aid platform with the goal to channel the willingness of people in advance to help during natural disasters and other emergency situations such as the Corona crisis or the current Ukraine war.

This means that it can be used quickly and efficiently when needed. This is how a strong support platform was created without constant and binding obligations for the individual with the idea that those who have time, can help. Disaster relief actions include support to people affected by natural disasters such as heavy rainstorms and flooding; vulnerable elderly are supported during heavy snow events; and occasionally support for the search of missing persons.

Team Austria launched a new project in 2010 under the name Team Österreich Tafel (Team Austria Food Bank), whereby volunteers collect food that is close to its expiration date from grocery stores and distribute it to those in need. It has also contributed to the creation of new food banks, broadening the access to affordable (or free) food to those in need of it.

Find out more here.

More inspiring initiatives

Photo by Kaleidico from Unsplash

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected by Martin Felix Gajdusek and Gabor Szüdi within ACCTING’s mapping of inspiring practice cases within the Clean Energy and Suistainable Mobility research lines.  Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Living Lab Experiment Graz, Austria

A Collaborative Approach

The Living Lab Experiment at Griesplatz in Graz involves engaging local stakeholders in the smart redesign of the square, which plays a vital role as a traffic hub. This includes residents in the vicinity, cyclists, pedestrians, and marginalized groups. The EU project (Urban Europe) and the University of Graz facilitate the Living Lab which is the second oldest and largest in Austria. The initiative has a long-term Smart City Strategy that prioritizes mobility measures, such as public transport, e-mobility, and city logistics. The University of Technology Graz is also a project partner.

Activities to foster exchange and engagement among stakeholders

The Living Lab experiment for Griesplatz consists of five phases:

1. Identifying the key stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, district leaders, residents, associations, companies, landowners, and investors in the area.
2. Focusing on collecting stakeholder assumptions, interests, and expectations through workshops, public events, online platforms, and local presence. The aim is to comprehend their needs and functions for Griesplatz and its surroundings.
3. Organizing a design competition for the Griesplatz area, challenging citizens and civil society organizations to suggest their designs. Although the winning design may not be fully implemented, useful elements will be incorporated.
4. Combining the results of the design competition with stakeholder perspectives and suggestions from Phase 2 to inform the final architectural redesign of Griesplatz.
5. Evaluating the impact of the Living Lab through surveys and a joint reflection workshop.

Find out more about the initiative 

More inspiring initiatives