About us
The Austrian Raiffeisen Association (“Der Österreichische Raiffeisenverband”) was founded on May 20, 1898, under the name of “Allgemeiner Verband landwirtschaftlicher Genossenschaften” (“General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives”). On June 24, 1960, the General Confederation received the name “Austrian Raiffeisen Association”.
As an umbrella organisation, the Austrian Raiffeisen Association represents the interests of the entire Raiffeisen Group in politics as well as in society as a whole. Furthermore, among its wide-ranging areas of responsibility are, above all, the Raiffeisen Audit and the training of leading employees and officials.
The Austrian Raiffeisen Association acts as adviser and service provider of its members in all agricultural, economic and environmental policies, as well as in questions pertaining to tax law. As such, it supports the concerns of the Raiffeisen Group in all relevant national and international institutions and authorities.
Information transfer, public relations work and coordination are significant elements of its duties. The Association informs about current propositions, assesses political decisions, and also proved itself as a crisis manager. The Austrian Raiffeisen Association considers itself a turntable, integration forum and provider of impetus for its members. The goal is to contribute to the economic, legal, socio-political and environmental framework conditions for the benefit and avail of the Raiffeisen Group.
For the organisation’s functionaries and staff, the Austrian Raiffeisen Association offers a comprehensive educational programme via the Raiffeisen Campus at a high quality level.
Moreover, the Austrian Raiffeisen Association functions as editor of the Raiffeisen Paper (“Raiffeisenzeitung”).
The Raiffeisen idea
The idea for a cooperative occurred in the 19th century. One of the cooperative’s significant pioneers was Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen (1818-1888). He set himself the task to alleviate the population’s major economic poverty.
The conception was taken up in Austria; and slowly but steadily, the Raiffeisen organisation, founded at the end of 19th century, grew.
At the end of the 19th century, the number of savings and loan associations had risen to about 600.
The development of Raiffeisen in Austria is inextricably linked with the country’s history, on which, in turn, Raiffeisen had a determining influence.
Whoever deals with our country’s economic development will inevitably come across Raiffeisen cooperatives.
Raiffeisen cooperatives were major sponsors of the economic recovery following the two World Wars.
Today, the Raiffeisen Organisation in Austria has no less than 2,1 bn members; in total, there exist 1,450 Raiffeisen cooperatives.
Legal Basis
German original texts of the Austrian Co-Operative Societies Act and the Austrian Co-Operative Societies‘ Revision Act with unofficial translations:
Mandate
Raiffeisen cooperatives pre-eminently aim achieving economic advancement of their members. The basis for this is a professional and successful business activity. However, the cooperative gives priority to the benefit of the member, not to the maximisation of its own profit.
Solidarity
Members of Raiffeisen cooperatives voluntarily join forces in order to support one another in the attainment of shared purposes. Thus, the individual may rely on the community’s solidary support, but must also be willing to make his or her own contribution.
Subsidiarity
Collaboration at Raiffeisen invariably occurs according to the principle of subsidiarity. Solely those tasks which the individual cannot fulfil by him- or herself at least just as well are performed by the community. This principle applies within each individual cooperative as well as to the collaboration of several cooperatives within the Raiffeisen combine.
Regionality
Raiffeisen cooperatives are deeply embedded in their respective region. This guarantees excellent market knowledge and enables a personal relationship to members and clients – at the same time, an important fundament for active solidarity.
Co-responsibilty
The voluntary work of countless functionaries form the backbone of Raiffeisen in Austria. As democratically elected boards of directors or members of the supervisory board, they are representatives of the respective members and, thereby, the voice and ears of their respective cooperative. The functionaries’ high level of commitment demonstrates their active co-responsibility; their competence ensures sustainable success.
Get in contact
Address
Friedrich-Wilhelm-Raiffeisen-Platz 1
1020 Wien
Visit us with public transportation
Schwedenplatz: U1 and U4, Tramway 2
Schottenring: U4 and U2, Tramway 1 or 31
Phone & email
Phone: +43-1-90664-0
info@raiffeisenverband.at