The 30th Anniversary of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria - Expressing Responsibility, Fostering Remembrance, Guiding the Way

Thirty years ago today, the Law on the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism was promulgated, having entered into effect on 27 April 1995 to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Nazi Germany and, with it, the restoration of the Republic of Austria.

The explanatory notes to the National Fund Law state that “the Fund is to be established with the National Council in order to emphasise its importance and to express the fact that the supreme body of the Austrian people, the people’s representatives, consider themselves responsible for establishing the Fund and its objectives.”

Peter Haubner, Second President of the National Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund, maintains that, even 80 years after the war, the original objectives of the Fund continue to be valid: “The establishment of the National Fund 30 years ago was much more than just an act of remembrance. It was a clear commitment by the Republic to its historical responsibilities and to the principle of ‘never again’. Remembrance without consequence is an empty gesture and commemoration without integrity is meaningless. The National Fund plays a fundamental role in the Republic’s commemoration and remembrance work, and in confronting one of the darkest chapters in our history. The National Fund’s work embodies active remembrance and the responsibility borne by the Republic – as a mission for the present and the future.”

Hannah Lessing, Managing Director of the National Fund, emphasises: “Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of holding many conversations with survivors of Nazi persecution. They have shared their life stories and personal experiences, which have been deeply moving. These encounters have made the extent of the suffering tangible, as well as demonstrating the incredible strength and will to live that people are capable of. I have always considered it an extraordinary privilege to learn from them. Through its work, the National Fund helps to preserve the memory of the victims and pass on their experiences, ensuring that future generations can also learn from them. In view of the current socio-political challenges, the National Fund is especially committed to this responsibility — as a sign against forgetting, as a reminder, and as a living testimony to our shared history.”

Judith Pfeffer, Managing Director of the National Fund, stresses: “The expertise of our staff in dealing with Nazi persecution and its aftermath is recognised worldwide. For 30 years, the National Fund has embodied an awareness of historical responsibility and sent a clear message against forgetting. Today, more than ever, it is crucial to convey knowledge about National Socialism and its consequences to young people in a contemporary way. This is why we are currently supporting projects that seek to combat the trivialisation of the Holocaust and the erosion of the culture of remembrance on social media. Alongside our core activities, we also consider it our duty to implement new guidelines from the Board of Trustees and the Committee, with the aim of further developing the National Fund as an active instrument of remembrance culture and social dialogue.”

Facts about the core tasks of the National Fund

Payments to Holocaust survivors and project funding: Since its establishment, the National Fund has made payments to survivors of the Nazi regime. It funds projects that carry out academic research on National Socialism and the fate of its victims, recall Nazi injustices, or preserve the memory of the victims. Currently, a particular focus in the allocation of funding is on projects that identify and combat disinformation in online media, especially content that relativises the Holocaust or undermines the culture of remembrance. This is the National Fund’s response to current challenges in the digital realm, such as the growing dissemination of content that distorts historical facts and/or is antisemitic.

Restoring the Jewish cemeteries: Austria has made a commitment to restore and preserve Jewish cemeteries. To date, 13 Jewish cemeteries have been fully renovated and handed over to the local authorities for continued upkeep. By doing this, the Republic is making a sustainable contribution to the preservation of Jewish cultural heritage.

The Simon Wiesenthal Prize: Since 2021, the National Fund has been awarding the annual Simon Wiesenthal Prize in recognition of outstanding civic engagement to combat antisemitism and educate the public about the Holocaust. The prize is endowed with a total of 30,000 euros and has been very well received, with around 200 entries being submitted from around 30 countries each year.

New tasks: Following the amendment to the National Fund Law in 2024, the National Fund was entrusted with a number of new tasks geared towards the future, with the aim of supporting younger generations in their commemoration and remembrance work. Since then, the National Fund has provided financial assistance to around 100 memorial service volunteers worldwide, making a significant contribution to the way in which young people engage with the Nazi past and develop a living culture of remembrance. “It is crucial that we familiarise younger generations with historical facts and contexts to counteract historical distortions and anti-democratic tendencies. The National Fund has the necessary expertise and resources to fulfil this task,” said Peter Haubner, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

A memorial to the murdered Roma and Sinti: Another important project is the establishment of a memorial to honour the Roma and Sinti who were murdered under National Socialism. The aim is to create a dignified place of remembrance and raise public awareness of the suffering endured by this group of victims. The National Fund also looks after two other memorial sites: the Shoah Wall of Names Memorial in Vienna, and the Austrian national exhibition at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

30^th anniversary of the National Fund 2025: In 2025, Austria will be celebrating several significant anniversaries, including the 80^th anniversary of its liberation from Nazi rule, the 70^th anniversary of the State Treaty, and the 30^th anniversary of its accession to the EU. The National Fund is also celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year. To mark this milestone, a ceremony will be held at the Austrian Parliament in the autumn, where representatives of the Republic, victims’ associations, and civil society will come together to celebrate the National Fund’s anniversary.