3rd Place at the ÖFB Social Football Award
The Practical Career Orientation Program by “Jugend am Werk,” together with First Vienna Football Club 1894 and the project “I, too, can take responsibility,” has been awarded 3rd place in the Inclusion category at the ÖFB Social Football Award.
A total of 68 projects were submitted across the categories “Social Responsibility and Sustainability,” “Inclusion,” and “Fair Play and Volunteering.” The top three in each category were honored directly on the sidelines shortly before the decisive World Cup qualifying match between Austria and Bosnia. Representing the organizations, four participants were invited to receive the award on the pitch from State Secretary Michaela Schmidt on behalf of Jugend am Werk and Vienna. The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) also provided 20 complimentary tickets for each winning project.
For many of the participants, it was their first visit to a major stadium—an exciting evening that was also historically significant: thanks to a goal from Michael Gregoritsch, the Austrian national team secured a 1–1 draw and qualified for a World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
First Vienna Football Club 1894 extends its heartfelt thanks to its long-standing cooperation partner Jugend am Werk as well as to the Austrian Football Association for this special recognition and unforgettable experience. A special thanks also goes to all participants who support us so actively on matchdays and whose commitment contributes significantly to the success of the collaboration and our events.
About the Award-Winning Project
For several years, First Vienna FC 1894 and Jugend am Werk have been working together on an inclusive project that actively integrates people with disabilities into the daily life of the club. The aim is to make participation and genuine inclusion a natural part of club culture.
Individuals from a day-structure program run by Jugend am Werk volunteer in the stewarding area for Austria’s oldest football club—both at home matches of the men’s team (2nd league) and the women’s team (Bundesliga). Before their first assignment, all participants complete the official Bundesliga steward training and pass the corresponding exam. They are then deployed at First Vienna FC 1894, where they apply their newly acquired theoretical knowledge in practice.
Before the steward cards expire, the exam is offered again through the Practical Career Orientation program of Jugend am Werk. During this process, the content is refreshed and reviewed in another theoretical test.
This project is an impressive demonstration of how inclusion can be lived—through responsibility, appreciation, and genuine participation in a sporting environment.
