ABOUT | FI Austria

Our Organization's History and Experience

FI Gesundheits- und Sportverein is a youth-focused non-governmental organization established in Klagenfurt, Austria, in 2022 by sports professionals committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and social inclusion through sport. Our members, primarily students and graduates of the Faculty of Sports Sciences, work voluntarily to encourage young people to embrace physical activity as a pathway to improved mental well-being, physical health, and active participation in society. Since its foundation, the organization has implemented local workshops, sports activities, awareness campaigns, and community initiatives in cooperation with sports clubs and local stakeholders across Klagenfurt and the State of Carinthia.

Our Organization's Motivation

Our association has around 80 active members, including three founding members with expertise in sport, culture, and youth engagement. We believe that sport is a powerful tool for strengthening communities, promoting intercultural dialogue, and supporting the social inclusion of young people. Our motivation is to inspire young people to adopt healthy lifestyles while using sport to increase confidence, reduce social isolation, and create opportunities for meaningful participation.

Our main objectives are to:

Promote the relationship between sport and culture while preserving traditional sports.
Encourage young people to engage in sport through workshops and educational activities highlighting its physical and mental health benefits.
Equip youth workers with methods to use sport as a tool for inclusion and social reintegration.
Support young people in overcoming social challenges and improving self-confidence through sport and cultural participation.

Alongside these objectives, we continue to develop volunteering and social responsibility initiatives that increase awareness of healthy living and active citizenship.

Our Mission and Vision

Our mission is to empower young people and youth workers by promoting sport as a lifelong habit and as a means of strengthening intercultural dialogue, well-being, and community engagement. We organize seminars, workshops, non-formal learning activities, and local projects that encourage active participation and healthy lifestyles.

Our primary target groups are young people, youth workers, educators, parents, youth organizations, municipalities, youth centres, and sports clubs. By collaborating with these stakeholders, we aim to reach young people directly and create sustainable local impact.

To achieve our mission, we organize inclusive workshops, physical activity sessions, awareness campaigns, and educational programmes involving local communities. Through these activities, we continue to expand participation in sport and contribute to healthier, more connected communities across Klagenfurt and Carinthia.

Experience and Activities of FI Gesundheits- und Sportverein in the Field of Youth

Since its establishment in 2022, FI Gesundheits- und Sportverein has actively engaged young people in Klagenfurt through voluntary sports, health, and inclusion activities. With around 80 active members, our organization combines expertise in sports sciences, youth work, and non-formal education to promote healthy lifestyles, social inclusion, and intercultural dialogue through sport.

Our founding members have extensive backgrounds in sport and youth engagement, focusing on healthy living, physical activity, nutrition, and the role of sport in cultural and social interaction. Several members have also worked in public youth centres, where they organized workshops promoting the inclusion and reintegration of young people through sport. These experiences have strengthened our capacity to design community-based educational activities.

Many of our members have participated in Erasmus+ projects, gaining valuable competences in intercultural communication, teamwork, project management, leadership, and international cooperation. These experiences have enhanced our ability to implement high-quality youth exchanges and training activities.

To stay connected with developments in the sports sector, our members regularly participate in local events. One example is SportsFest Klagenfurt, where sports federations introduced young people to a wide range of disciplines, including yoga, capoeira, dance, football, and fitness activities. The event also promoted gender equality by encouraging girls' participation in football and other traditionally male-dominated sports.

Regular Youth Activities

Every year, our organization delivers sports-based activities that encourage active participation, healthy lifestyles, and social inclusion.

6 April – International Day of Sport for Development and Peace: Each year, our members organize community sports events in Klagenfurt with changing themes to promote peace, solidarity, and well-being. Activities include hiking, running, badminton, yoga, and group fitness sessions.
Klagenfurter Sommersportschnuppern: Our organization actively supports this annual summer programme by helping children and young people, particularly those with fewer opportunities, discover different sports and participate in accessible physical activities.
Staff Mobility for Training Purposes (2023): We hosted Erasmus+ trainee Uğur Koyuncu, who gained practical experience in project management, international cooperation, youth exchange preparation, and organizational administration while contributing to our daily activities.
Cooperation with Sports Clubs: Since 2022, we have worked closely with local sports clubs to increase youth participation in sport. Through mixed-gender football teams and joint awareness activities, we promote gender equality, teamwork, inclusion, and the social value of regular physical activity.

These experiences demonstrate our strong commitment to empowering young people through sport and providing inclusive learning opportunities at both local and international levels.