Fifteen years of the VERBUND Electricity Relief Fund in collaboration with Caritas

For 15 years, the VERBUND Electricity Relief Fund has been helping people with their energy costs through the 71 Caritas social counselling centres throughout Austria, namely when there are problems covering energy costs or when urgently needed household appliances have to be purchased. There are many reasons for energy poverty: poorly insulated apartments or houses, old and inefficient household appliances and heating systems, and thus higher consumption, cause costs to skyrocket. For this reason, Caritas and VERBUND set up the Electricity Relief Fund back in 2009, which is endowed with a fixed amount each year. During the inflationary period in 2022-2024, which also saw a sharp increase in energy prices, VERBUND increased its aid by an additional 5 million euros and continued to support the “Funken Wärme” campaign run by Caritas and the Kronenzeitung newspaper with 100,000 euros per year. In total, over 20,000 people and thus around 8,000 households have been supported by the Electricity Relief Fund alone over the past 15 years.

Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler, President of Caritas Austria: “With the VERBUND Electricity Relief Fund, Caritas has not only been able to help thousands of people out of emergency situations in recent years, but also to create new long-term prospects through energy consulting, repairs and maintenance, and appliance swaps. Because one thing is clear: no one in Austria should have to sit in a cold apartment in winter.” Between 2009 and the first half of 2024, it was possible to save an estimated 1,400 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in energy through advice and appliance replacement. Tödtling-Musenbichler: “We are particularly grateful to VERBUND for the fact that we can make a truly sustainable contribution to the fight against energy poverty in Austria with this urgent relief programme.” Because by swapping out appliances, we can work together to reduce energy consumption and thus costs in the long term. That’s good for the climate and the wallet.”

Tödtling-Musenbichler is grateful for the support provided by VERBUND as part of the “Funken Wärme” campaign since 2020: “With the support of our volunteers in institutions throughout Austria, the donations from private individuals and the cooperation with companies, we likewise see how great solidarity is in Austria.” It is this solidarity in our support for people in need that also characterises our partnership with VERBUND.”

“The VERBUND Electricity Relief Fund in collaboration with Caritas has been helping people threatened by energy poverty for 15 years. This aid was particularly important during the energy price crisis caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. And the challenges for Austrian households will remain significant when government support such as the electricity price cap and tax breaks expire in 2025,” says Michael Strugl, CEO of VERBUND. With the Electricity Relief Fund, we have found an instrument together with Caritas Austria that provides proven help – independently of their respective energy provider – and does so where help is needed: with bridging payments for energy bills, swapping out old appliances for new ones and with energy consulting. Our thanks go to the team of Caritas for the many years of active partnership.”

VERBUND Electricity Relief Fund in collaboration with Caritas: a story of helping

The VERBUND Electricity Relief Fund helps by providing professional energy consulting, free appliance replacement and through financial bridging schemes. Since the project was launched, around 6,000 energy consultations have been held and around 4,000 appliances swapped out.

More information: VERBUND electricity assistance fund: Caritas Austria