GRENZENLOS

Intercultural Exchanges
Vienna, Austria, E.U.
www.grenzenlos.or.at

What is Grenzenlos?
Grenzenlos is an Austrian NGO based in Vienna. It is independent of religions and political bodies. Grenzenlos is a
non-profit association. Its main purpose is to promote world peace and respect between people through
intercultural non-formal education programmes abroad which combine cultural integration with engagement
at non-profit initiatives worldwide.

The German word „Grenzenlos“ means „no boundaries“ and also „no limits“. The word explains the basic mission
of Grenzenlos: to promote the personal development of individuals (no limits!) and inter-cultural understanding
through international encounters, trainings, inter-cultural living and work experience (no boundaries!).

Mobility Programmes
Grenzenlos tries to offer a variety of international mobility programmes. These programmmes are dedicated to
world peace through the promotion of inter-cultural exchanges.

• Traditionally, Grenzenlos organizes volunteering programmes (individual as well as in the frame of inter-
national camps); additionally, we offer a work and travel programme in New Zealand, and we provide a
support structure for European internships (Leonardo da Vinci)
• As an exchange organization, we send volunteers abroad and host volunteers in Austria.
• for people of all generations from 18 to 99 years. Right now, we work on special programmes for seniors
(inter alia, the EU programme Grundtvig 50+)
• including stays from two weeks up to one year
• for skilled as well as for non-skilled people
• worldwide.

The Inclusion approach is a high priority for Grenzenlos: special attention is given to promoting the participa-
tion of physically handicapped people in our European exchange programmes (MELANGE, that is EVS in Vienna).

Trainings
Grenzenlos understands its international volunteer programmes as holistic non-formal training measures for
competence, language skills and personality development.

For its participants as well as for interested persons, Grenzenlos offers various trainings about foreign cultures,
travel preparation, language preparation.

Furthermore, Grenzenlos hosts various international seminars and trainings in Austria.

 Domestic cultural integration programmes
This is the most recent development of Grenzenlos. Inter-Cultural Exchanges are not only connected to mobility.
Wherever migration happens, they take place HERE and NOW. Sometimes in harmony, sometimes in conflict.

Grenzenlos implements a mentorship programme to promote the personal integration of immigrants in the city
of Vienna (“Zusammen Leben – Living Together”). Austria-wide, Grenzenlos offers workshops for high school
classes which raise awareness about racism and xenophobia (“grenzenlos@schools”).

Development and Partners

The nowadays association started in 1949 as a co-operation programme of protestant youth organizations in
Austria, Germany and the USA (nowadays „International Cultural Youth Exchange“/ICYE). In 1970, the ICYE Austria
became an independent association. In 2001, it was renamed into “Grenzenlos – Inter-Cultural Exchanges”.

Between 1997 and 2001, the association started various new programme co-operations – such as the European
Voluntary Service (EVS), the co-operation with the Alliance network and the Youth Action for Peace movement
(YAP), as well as many bilateral partnerships.

In 2001, Grenzenlos opened its sending programmes for all generations, and also for short-time volunteers. On
the hosting side, Grenzenlos joined the international camp movement in 2003 and started its medium-term
hosting programme for foreign volunteers in Austria in 2006 (“Experience Austria”).

In order to promote and develop Grenzenlos’ inclusion approach, Grenzenlos co-ordinated an international
backup and trainings structure for inclusion trainers (“All Inclusive”, see www.allinclusiveproject.org) from 2005 to
2008. All international camps hosted by Grenzenlos include participants with special needs.

In 2009, Grenzenlos decided to give a high priority on the development of domestic programs, promoting a
more harmonious relationship between Austrian citizens and immigrants. The result is a mentorship programme
for immigrants to Vienna, and anti-racist awareness workshops for schools.

Since 2010, more EU programmes have become part of the Grenzenlos activities – so Grundtvig 50+ and
Leonardo da Vinci.

Structure
Grenzenlos is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and a non-profit organization (NPO). The supreme organ
is the annual assembly of members. It decides on statutary issues and elects the association’s board; usually, this
consists mainly of returnees from various exchange programmes. The board supervises the performance of the
management and decides on structural questions. The management consists of three functionaries (General
Secretary, Programme Co-ordinator, Manager of Public Programmes). Furthermore, there are 7 other employees
and more than 100 voluntary co-workers.

Board 2013: Florian Kaulich (president), Martin Kainz (vice president), 5 further members
Management team 2013: Birgit Fetty, Daniela Fellinger, Christoph Mertl

Contact
Grenzenlos - Interkultureller Austausch Phone: +43 (0)1 315 76 36
Latschkagasse 1/4, A-1090 Wien – Austria Fax: +43 (0)1 315 76 37
Webpage: www.grenzenlos.or.at Email: office@grenzenlos.or.at