Austrian Caritas Project Eases Bureaucracy for Migrants

In Wiener Neustadt, Austria, the Caritas educational center launched “Treffpunkt Miteinander”, a project where volunteers assist migrants and asylum seekers with navigating Austrian bureaucracy. For 15 years, the center has offered integration counseling, but recognized a need for more comprehensive support.

Since March 2025, 34 volunteers, students and retirees among them, have sorted documents, provided interpreting services, and accompanied clients to appointments. Many migrants struggle with complex official texts and unfamiliar processes, particularly those from countries with simpler administrative systems.

The volunteers’ assistance extends beyond language barriers, helping clients implement advice received during counseling sessions. The project also benefits overwhelmed authorities by providing prepared documentation and interpretation.

Currently funded through donations until the end of the year, “Treffpunkt Miteinander” is seeking additional volunteers, especially those proficient in Arabic, to continue offering this vital service. Since its launch, the project has assisted 1855 clients.