Hilfsverein Österreichischer Bauorden
Volunteers from Austria can join projects in:
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia
Where we come from
The Dutch Father Werenfried van Straaten founded Bouworde in 1953. He motivated young people and students to help building homes for refugees in Germany and Austria. Bit by bit, independent Bouworde offices were established in many European countries. They united in a common network called International Building Organisation (IBO). In 1961, the Hilfsverein Österreichischer Bauorden was founded.
More than 50 years
For more than 50 years, the Austrian Bauorden organizes international youth meetings and aid projects in Europe and overseas. The organization has Christian humanitarian foundations. It supports social and religious organizations with the renovation of buildings or sends volunteers as assistants in the care for, and animation of people with special needs.
The future
Every year, about 80 Austrian volunteers (students, teachers, pensioners) work in social projects together with volunteers from many other countries. Together they travel to a country that is often unknown to them, where they work in exchange for board and simple lodging. The goal of a construction project is a social one in the first place. This means that voluntary work is an essential part of a common effort. Volunteers that join our projects have to be well aware of this.