Against exclusion

State now enables vacation fun for all

"Exclusion means that losers are created. We don't want that," says Leonhard Schneemann, State Councillor for Social Affairs.(Bild: Büro Schneemann)

The money from the Solidarity Fund is made available to children and young people from socially disadvantaged families.

The summer vacations in Burgenland begin in just under two weeks. However, not all pupils come from families who can afford various vacation activities in times of rising prices. Around 6000 children and young people are affected by poverty and exclusion. The effects are fatal: withdrawal from social life, massive restrictions on talent development, poor nutrition and long-term psychological consequences are already creating a two-tier society in our youngest generation.

Every girl and boy affected is one child too many. It is our political task to guarantee them as much security and stability as possible in order to be able to offer them a positive future.

Soziallandesrat Leonhard Schneemann

In order to keep rising child poverty in check, the country set up the Solidarity Fund in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The pot contains 100,000 euros. This means that a maximum of 119 euros per child can be funded. The funding is granted depending on income. Applications for support are submitted via the district authorities. Proof of registration for a vacation or leisure activity and proof of income for the last three months are sufficient for the application and will be treated with absolute confidentiality.