How can we be there for one another? What are the needs of people who care for others? How can individuals who require care actively participate in their neighborhoods? And how can we strengthen caring communities and embed them within our localities?

Over the past two years, researchers and representatives from civil society initiatives and municipal administrations have collaborated within the framework of the Open Innovation in Science (OIS) Impact Lab “Caring Communities for Future.” The goal has been to develop strategies for strengthening and sustainably embedding caring communities—known as Caring Communities—in Austria. Central to this initiative are five groundbreaking transdisciplinary research projects that utilize creative approaches and participatory methods to address these pressing questions in the fields of health promotion, caregiving, and spatial planning in Austria: Inclusive Caring Communities, Care4Caregivers, MigraCare, Healthy Streets and Spaces, and Care ACT in Communities.

Diverse Perspectives on Caring Communities at the Symposium “From Caring Communities to a Caring Society”

On November 27-28, 2024, the symposium “From Caring Communities to a Caring Society” took place at the Ankerbrotfabrik in Vienna. This event provided a wide range of insights into international practices regarding Caring Communities, made possible through a diverse array of partner organizations. Keynotes and interactive market and exchange formats, along with theater interventions, collaboratively envisioned a potential future for the Caring Society.

“As the Open Innovation in Science Center of the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft, we are pleased to contribute to the symposium ‘From Caring Communities to a Caring Society’ organized by the Sorgenetz association. With the ‘Caring Communities for Future’ OIS Impact Lab, we have successfully initiated projects that offer an innovative approach within the context of ‘Caring Communities.’ I would like to extend my gratitude to all participants, especially the entire OIS team, our partner organizations, and the event organizers,” said Mag. Dr. Georg Russegger, Director of the LBG OIS Center (co-funder), in his opening speech.

Research and Projects for Sustainable Caring Communities in Austria

The symposium provided a space to discuss central questions surrounding Caring Communities, care, solidarity, and participation. Scientific results and insights from the OIS Impact Lab were shared with the international community.

On one hand, the LBG OIS Center provided an impulse on the topic “What Moves Us? – Horizons for the Development of Caring Communities” and presented the transdisciplinary concept of the OIS Impact Lab “Caring Communities for Future.” It was emphasized that the early involvement of civil society actors and affected groups in the development of funding programs and health research can enhance the relevance and sustainable design of concepts for Caring Communities.

On the other hand, the five funded projects of the OIS Impact Lab presented their scientific results, diverse perspectives, and learnings at the interactive marketplace of the symposium. The perspectives of the projects varied from the integration of 24-hour caregivers into care networks in Austria, to the quality of life, health, and self-care of family caregivers (Care4Caregivers), the redesign of a town center in collaboration with citizens (Healthy Streets and Spaces), to the participation of people with disabilities in social spaces (Inclusive Caring Communities) and the opening of spaces for participation through theater interventions (Care Act).

The diversity of the OIS Impact Lab projects was underscored by other Caring Community initiatives from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Interactive formats, such as a final theater workshop, created a sense of connection among participants and fostered optimism for the transition to a Caring Society