Bildungsheime

Bildungsheime (formerly Volksbildungsheime, educational centres) offer educational programmes for adults and young people. A team of teachers manages the courses at these centres, typically containing a strong local element and combining leisure activities with educational pursuits. In Austria, such centres were first intended for the further education of farmers; in 1922, an educational centre was established at St. Martin bei Graz (Styria). In 1945, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Bildungsheime Österreichs was founded, which is still the parent organisation of the 28 educational centres in Austria, 19 of which are organised by the Catholic Church, 4 by the provinces, 1 by the federal government and 3 belong to the agricultural sector.