ERSTE Foundation

Our Statement of Purpose

Why we exist

A society that is resilient and works for all people needs an inclusive economic basis in order to look to the future with confidence.

We see this as an important prerequisite for the preservation of our democratic values and principles, which ultimately give every person the right, the opportunity and the support to lead a self-determined and fulfilling life.

ERSTE Foundation is here to pave the way to this reality for the people in our regions. This commitment particularly applies to those who are underserved and marginalised, and those who are in danger of becoming so.

Ahead of us are three tasks upon which we want to focus our knowledge and resources:

Financial Health

This is the economic basis for a functioning and resilient society. That is why we want to promote the development and maintenance of financial health at all levels of society, with a particular focus on enhancing access to knowledge.

Democratic values and principles

Through our social, economic, societal, and cultural activities, we want to strengthen and expand democracy based on fundamental rights, together with our partners from civil society.

Independence

As core shareholder, we safeguard the independence of Erste Group and provide its management with the support to think long-term and act innovatively. We reinvest our share of the profits in the common good, in line with our Foundation’s charter.     

Our areas of work

We organise our work in the following thematic areas:

– Financial Education

– Social Finance

– Europe & Democracy

– Culture

– Digital & Social Innovation

Our history

No age, no gender,
no class, no nation
shall be excluded from the advantages
which the Savings Bank
offers to every depositor.

From the founding charter of the »Erste oesterreichische Spar-Casse«. Vienna, October 1819