Empowerment

Empowerment, self-reliance, initiative and active participation are central concepts of health promotion and also of the support group movement, which has grown enormously in recent years in Austria the same as in other countries. Today far more than 1000 organisations are active in this area.

Therefore it was but a logical step, taken many years ago already, to integrate in FGÖ’s structures also Austria’s nationwide  SIGIS service and information project for health initiatives and empowerment organisations. In the context of SIGIS, the following services are available:

• the SIGIS service phone line that any interested person may call to obtain information on available support group services and approaches of these groups (phone +43 1 895 04 00-25);
• publications;
• further training (different types of programmes) through support of regional assistance organisations in this field;
• cooperation with ArGe Selbsthilfe, an association of regional support group umbrella organisations and contact centres.

Contact: Petra Gajar