The National Fund at the 2026 Parliamentary Open Day

On this year’s national holiday, the Austrian Parliament opened its doors to the public for the 35th time. Countless visitors took up the invitation to visit the Austrian Parliament on Vienna's Ring and take a look behind the scenes. The National Fund of the Republic of Austria also had an information stand in the Colonnade Hall to showcase its wide-ranging activities.

Serving the victims of National Socialism for over 30 years

Since its foundation in 1995, the National Fund has embodied the Republic’s special responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism and fostered a vibrant culture of remembrance. Our information stand provided an insight into the Fund’s work spanning more than 30 years. The focus was on the key areas of work that have continually evolved over the decades: from making payments to victims of Nazism and preserving their life stories, through historical research, to support for projects that embed remembrance in society.

Finding traces and uncovering fates: the Fund's online services

Among other things, the National Fund’s online services were presented, such as the online Findbuch, an archive finding aid which is accessible via the website www.findbuch.at. This enables descendants and those with an interest in history to reconstruct stories of persecution. In this way, the National Fund offers practical assistance in shedding light on family histories and finding answers to unresolved questions regarding Nazi asset seizures, as well as compensation and restitution measures.

Remembrance and educational work: publications

Particular emphasis was placed on publications, including the book series "Lives Remembered: Life Stories of Victims of National Socialism". These highlight individual paths of survival and help to raise awareness of history, particularly amongst young people. At the open day, the newly published Volume 9 of the series, which focuses on exile in South America, was showcased.

Current project funding priorities

A key focus in 2026 is the fight against Holocaust distortion and disinformation online. The National Fund supports projects that expose misinformation, develop digital solutions and strengthen accountability in the digital sphere. The next deadline for applications for such project funding is 1 November 2026.

Rethinking remembrance: dialogue and future perspectives

The open day provided an excellent opportunity for interpersonal exchange. The National Fund team held countless conversations – about the importance of remembrance work, the restoration of Jewish cemeteries, the Austrian exhibition at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp Memorial, and upcoming projects such as the memorial to Roma and Sinti victims of National Socialism in Vienna.

The many conversations at the information stand demonstrated the desire of numerous visitors from different generations to engage actively with history. This is entirely in keeping with the ethos of the National Fund:

“Understanding history. Taking responsibility. Strengthening democracy.”

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