Grenzenlos

Grenzenlos is an Austrian NGO based in Vienna. It is independent of religions and political bodies. Grenzenlos is a non-profit association. Its main purpose is to promote world peace and respect between people through intercultural non-formal education programmes abroad which combine cultural integration with engagement at non-profit initiatives world-wide. The German word „Grenzenlos“ means „no boundaries“ and also „no limits“. The word ex-plains the basic mission of Grenzenlos: to promote the personal development of individuals (no limits!) and inter-cultural understanding through international encounters, trainings, in-ter-cultural living and work experience (no boundaries!). Grenzenlos is part of an international youth exchange network (the ICYE Federation) and the oldest voluntary exchange organisation in Austria. It was founded in 1949 as a pacifist program standing in for tolerance and re-conciliation between different cultures. ICYE became a symbol for tolerance and peace so that ICYE was appointed as Peace Messenger by the UN in 1987. Since 1996, Grenzenlos participates in the EVS. 1998 it became the implementor of the EVS MELANGE special event project, which resulted in a partnership between EVS organisations and municipal departments. After this special event, Melange became an institutionalised EVS Program in Vienna, focusing on high quality standards within EVS, and is implemented by Grenzenlos with the help and support of Vienna’s youth department and the youth information center. In 1999 the focus was set on the increase of mobility for people with disabilities and the opening of volunteer actions in Eastern Europe, as well as maximizing inclusion of disadvantaged youngsters, eg. Young people from a migrant background or long term unemployed. Our activities are mainly focused on youth, but we do have programmes for people of every age. We aim to have all our activities accessible for people with different abilities.