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Statement on Ukraine and offers of support 2023

On February 24, 2022, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna continues to condemn this war and expresses its solidarity with the civilian population in the war zones as well as the displaced persons.

The Academy particularly addresses all affected students, to whom we offer help in administrative matters with psychosocial support and, where possible, also financially.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need administrative or financial support. An overview of support services can be found below.

Statement of the Academy on Ukraine (Spring 2022)

HELP OFFERS

We would particularly like to draw your attention to the Academy's Temporary Financial Aid. You can find this and other offers of help here:
https://www.akbild.ac.at/portal_en/studies/scholarships/academy-scholarships/temporary-financial-aid

The Academy has set up the Mental Health Fund to deal with precarious situations, crises, problems or conflicts, uncertainties and fears, also with regard to shaping the future, more information can be found at https://www.akbild.ac.at/de/studium/stipendien/akademiestipendien/mental-health-fonds

Psychosocial counseling for students and employees of the Academy
Being in danger or worrying yourself is an extreme psychological burden. We would therefore like to point out the possibility of our free psychosocial counselling to all people who are suffering from particular stress due to the current situation. You can reach the counselling service as follows:
Elisabeth Höchtl-Wallner at +43 664 80887-1106
Alexander Parte at +43 664 80887-1107

Further Information is to be found at
https://www.akbild.ac.at/portal_en/studies/general-study-information/psychological-counselling-for-students

Help for Ukrainians in Austria
Those affected from Ukraine can get help from the hotline of the Ministry of the Interior at +43 1 2676 870 9460.

The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers free online language courses for displaced Ukrainians at beginner level, every day starting at 11 am.
Dates and topics at www.integrationsfonds.at/onlinekurse

Special services by ÖIF for Ukrainian refugees (including Corona consultation hours with interpreting) can be found at www.integrationsfonds.at/ukraine.

The platform Vitalʹnya Vienna (вітальня відень), translated as "Living Room Vienna”, invites artists and cultural workers from Ukraine to present their work, and network within and with the Viennese art and culture scene: https://www.instagram.com/vitalnya.vienna/

Office Ukraine. Shelter for Ukrainian Artists
coordination office for ukrainian cultural workers https://at.tranzit.org/en/news/0/2022-03-02/artists-for-ukraine

Information concerning Erasmus and exchange programs
The OEAD (Agency for Education and Internationalization) informs about Erasmus, exchange programs and FAQ related to Ukraine, Belarus and Russia https://oead.at/en/the-oead/information-about-ukraine

The following initiatives by the ÖAW, FWF, ÖAD exist to support scientists of different qualification levels:

The Special Scholarship Program Ernst Mach-Ukraine supports Ukrainian students in continuing their studies in Austria www.oead.at/ukraine-stipendium.

The information platform studyinaustria.at/Ukraine bundles information for students and researchers from Ukraine as well as for Austrian universities.

POSSIBILITIES TO HELP

Exemption for voluntary work for employees of the Academy
Employees who voluntarily support a recognized aid organization in the context of the current crisis, the Academy grants a leave of absence of up to two working days with continued payment, under the following conditions:

  • only after prior consultation with- and demonstrable approval by- the department or institute management
  • the absence is not in the way of operational necessities (no cancellation of teaching classes, etc.)
  • submission of proof of a recognized aid organization (e.g. Rotes Kreuz, Samariterbund, Caritas, Volkshilfe, Hilfswerk etc.)
  • the assignment takes place exclusively on the territory of the Republic of Austria
  • notification with the “Sonderurlaubsformular” (special leave form) with the note „Freistellung für Freiwilligenarbeit. Ukraine“ (Absence for Voluntary Work. Ukraine)

Housing
Anyone who has accommodation to offer for refugees can contact the coordination office of the Ministry of the Interior at nachbarschaftsquartier@bbu.gv.at

More Information can be found at https://www.bmi.gv.at/Ukraine/

Material donations
The government coordinates government disaster relief efforts and informs response organizations of available relief supplies. If you would like to provide donations in kind, please contact hilfsgueterukraine@bmi.gv.at

Monetary donations to recognized aid organizations

  • Caritas : IBAN: AT23 2011 1000 0123 4560 (Keyword: Soforthilfe Ukraine) or online
  • SOS-Kinderdorf: IBAN: AT62 1600 0001 0117 3240 (Keyword: Ukraine) or online
  • Ärzte ohne Grenzen: IBAN: AT43 2011 1289 2684 7600 or online
  • Volkshilfe: IBAN: AT77 6000 0000 0174 0400 (Keyword: Nothilfe Ukraine) or online
  • Rotes Kreuz: IBAN: AT57 2011 1400 1440 0144 (Keyword: Ukraine – Hilfe für Menschen im Konflikt ) or online
  • Nachbar in Not: IBAN: AT21 2011 1400 4004 4003 (Keyword: Hilfe für die Ukraine) or online

An overview of further support options can be found at

derStandard: Wie man Menschen in der Ukraine jetzt helfen kann
Moment: Ukraine – in Österreich helfen