Erste meets ERSTE

15 June – 16 June 2026
Atrium, Erste Campus, Vienna

You’re cordially invited

ERSTE Foundation is the core shareholder of Erste Group – and with that role, it safeguards the long-term independence of one of the largest banking groups in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe. But what does this actually mean in practice? And what does the Foundation do beyond holding shares?

Over two days from 15-16 June 2026 ERSTE Foundation invites Erste Group employees on Campus to meet the team, explore its work and ask all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

From savings bank to foundation

ERSTE Foundation continues a legacy that began more than 200 years ago. In 1819, the »Erste oesterreichische Spar-Casse« was founded in Vienna to give everyone – regardless of age, gender, social standing or origin – access to safe savings and credit. This idea opened new opportunities, supported small businesses and helped many people build a better future.

As the legal successor of that first savings bank and today’s core shareholder of Erste Group, ERSTE Foundation carries these values into the present and future.

What drives ERSTE Foundation

The Foundation works at the intersection of economy, society and culture. Its activities span Arts & Culture, Economic & Financial Education, Europe & Democracy, Social & Digital Innovation and Social Finance. Together with partners from civil society, ERSTE Foundation works to enable participation and equal opportunities across all levels of society. Financial health plays a central role in this and is a key prerequisite for active participation.

Guided by a long-term perspective, the Foundation aims to support people in leading self-determined lives and to contribute to a society that is resilient and works for all. Its work focuses on expanding access to knowledge and strengthening people’s ability to make well-informed decisions in their everyday lives.

Programme highlights 15 June

Breakfast with the Board of ERSTE Foundation: Start your day with coffee and conversation.

– Gudrun Egger, Member of the Board, ERSTE Foundation
– Martin Wohlmuth, Member of the Board, ERSTE Foundation

Host: Christoph Prantner, Executive Director Communications, ERSTE Foundation

Stronger together: Solidarity in times of crisis (Discussion)

In uncertain times, solidarity becomes more than a nice idea – it becomes something people do. Together with experts from migration, care, social finance and the arts, we explore how people support each other in building a good life for all, where it gets difficult, and which new ideas could strengthen our social fabric today.

– Caroline Hornstein-Tomic, Caroline Hornstein Tomić, Senior Researcher in Migration, Demographic Change and Civic Education, Ivo Pilar Institute / THE CIVICS Innovation Hub
– Ina Ivănceanu, Filmmaker, AMOUR FOU, Vienna/Luxembourg
– Ovidiu Ţichindeleanu, Philosopher and cultural theorist, tranzit.org network

Hosts: Katrin Klingan, Executive Director Arts, Culture & Society, ERSTE Foundation and Nicole Traxler, Executive Director Social & Digital Innovation, ERSTE Foundation

Guided tours and FLiP Arena at the Financial Life Park (FLiP)

Shaping tomorrow: From housing to hope (Discussion)

How we live is changing rapidly, from what we can afford to where we find security and a home. In this session, we look at new ways people, communities and institutions are creating stability and empowering people – from fair housing to financial access to rebuilding trust.

– Stefan Bucic, Managing Director, BCR Social Finance Romania
– Tamara Ehs, Political scientist and author (“Defence of democracy”)
– Rastislav Blažej , Head Social Banking, Slovakia
– Anne Wiederhold, Actress, organizational psychologist, and artistic director of ArtSocialSpace Brunnenpassage

Host: Florian Bauer, Executive Director Social Finance & Impact Investment, ERSTE Foundation

Refreshments with Kontakt in the Grand Hall

Programme Highlights 16 June

Breakfast with the Board of ERSTE Foundation

From confusion to confidence: Empowering people to make informed decisions (Discussion)

This session explores practical skills that help people of all ages build both financial and civic competence, from education to institutions, from critical thinking to agreeing to disagree and still cooperating. We also take a look at the key economic frameworks we all live and work in, such as labour markets and pension systems – and how we can foster agency, long‑term financial health and active citizenship in an increasingly complex world.

– Dana Brandenburg, Financial and Civic Education – Chair of the management board, Nadace České spořitelny
– Bettina Fuhrmann, Financial Literacy – WU Wien, Head of Institute for Business Education, Full Professor of Business Education at WU
– Sonja Jöchtl, Founder, Love Politics & Policy Fellow Complexity Science Hub
– Rainer Münz, Expert in Demography and Migration

Host: Alexander Kickinger, Executive Director Economic & Financial Education, ERSTE Foundation

Guided tours and FLiP Arena at the Financial Life Park (FLiP)

Democracy: Powered by people (Discussion)

This session explores why democratic values remain essential in a rapidly changing world and why it relies on the active engagement of everyone – not just institutions. Join us to discover how different parts of society take responsibility and contribute to a healthy and resilient democracy.

– Vedran Dzihic, Senior Researcher, Austrian Institute for International Affairs (öiip)
– Edit Inotai, Reporting Democracy Budapest Correspondent, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)
– Nina Schnider, Managing Director Austria, Faktor D
– Raluca Vionea, Curator and art critic, co-director of tranzit.ro

Host: Hedvig Morvai, Executive Director Europe & Democracy, ERSTE Foundation

Refreshments with Kontakt in the Grand Hall

What to expect on site

Meet ERSTE Foundation in the Atrium from 08:00 to 17:00 on 15 and 16 June – whether you join a programme slot or simply stop by.

  • Get to know the ERSTE Foundation team and their work
  • Join a guided tour at the Financial Life Park or discover the world of capital markets at the FLiP Arena
  • Discover Kontakt Collection in the Grand Hall
  • Sign up for the ERSTE Foundation Library and borrow a book

The Kontakt Collection, founded in 2004 by the ERSTE Foundation in collaboration with Erste Group as a new »nomadic« institution dedicated to promoting art from Eastern, Central, and Southeastern Europe, will be on display in the Grand Hall. On both days, visitors can find out more about the collection’s holdings and extensive activities through artworks, catalogs, printed materials, and other resources. Join us for refreshments 16:00 each day.

Since 2016, FLiP – Financial Life Park has been empowering people aged 10 and above with the knowledge and skills needed to make confident financial decisions. As part of ERSTE Foundation’s commitment to strengthening Financial Education, FLiP opens its doors to Erste Group employees, offering an interactive glimpse into its approach to financial literacy. Join us at FLiP to experience how financial education can be engaging, practical and relevant for everyday life on both days at:

FLiP Arena: Capital Markets (German)

FLiP Highlight Tour (German)

FLiP Highlight Tour (English)

FLiP Arena: Capital Markets (English)

We’re looking forward to welcoming you – for a coffee, a conversation or a deeper dive into what ERSTE Foundation stands for and works on every day.

Please note that photos and videos will be taken during the event. The footage may be published.

GREEN EVENT

This event is being organised in accordance with the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel for Green Events. This involves a range of measures, from the choice of venue and resource-efficient procurement to catering. Please do your bit and take note of the following:

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Please opt – where possible – for an environmentally friendly journey or arrange carpooling. The event venue, Erste Campus Wien, is very easily accessible by public transport. You can find timetable information at: wienerlinien.at, oebb.at.

Information on accessible travel with ÖBB can be found here, and with Wiener Linien here.

LOCAL TRANSPORT LINKS:

Erste Campus Wien (Am Belvedere 1, 1100 Vienna) is located right next to Vienna Central Station and therefore has excellent public transport links.

Trains / Rapid Transit

  • Vienna Central Station (directly adjacent, approx. 2–5 minutes’ walk)
  • ÖBB long-distance services (ICE, Railjet, IC/EC)
  • S-Bahn lines S1, S2, S3, S4, S60, S80

Underground

  • U1 – Hauptbahnhof station / Right next to Erste Campus (approx. 2–3 minutes’ walk)
  • Frequency: approx. 2–5 minutes

Tram

  • Lines D, O, 18
  • Stops: »Hauptbahnhof Ost« / »Hauptbahnhof«
  • Walk to Erste Campus: approx. 2–6 minutes
  • Frequency depending on the line: approx. 5–10 minutes

Bus

  • Lines 13A, 69A
  • Stops in the Hauptbahnhof / Südtiroler Platz area
  • Walking distance: approx. 3–7 minutes

CONNECTIONS TO LONG-DISTANCE TRAIN SERVICES:

As the Erste Campus is located directly at Vienna Central Station, connections to long-distance train services are very easy:

  • Option 1 – Walk directly (recommended) Duration: 2–5 minutes

Arrival: Vienna Central Station (long-distance trains from across Austria & Europe) Walk: directly to Erste Campus (via Südtiroler Platz / Am Belvedere)

  • Option 2 – from other Vienna stations
    • From Westbahnhof

U3 (towards Simmering) → Stephansplatz U1 (towards Oberlaa) → Hauptbahnhof Walk: 2–3 minutes to Erste Campus Duration: approx. 15–20 minutes

  • From Vienna Meidling

S-Bahn / U6 → Hauptbahnhof Walk: 2–3 minutes

Journey time: approx. 10–12 minutes

  • From Vienna Airport (VIE) CAT or S7 → Wien Mitte

Continue with U3 → U1 to Hauptbahnhof Walking distance: 2–3 minutes

Journey time: approx. 30–40 minutes

If you are travelling by car or plane, you can offset the resulting CO2 emissions through compensation payments. Suitable platforms for this include, for example: myclimate.org or climateaustria.at.

WASTE PREVENTION AND SEPARATION

Please ensure that you minimise waste during the event and that any unavoidable waste is sorted and disposed of appropriately. Waste sorting stations will be available on site.

ACCESSIBILITY

The venue is accessible. You can find the accessibility statement for the Erste Campus Eventlocation here. (https://erstecampus.at/erklaerung-zur-barrierefreiheit/)

CATERING

The menu has been selected to feature local specialities. The majority of the food comes from regional producers and is seasonal. When selecting drinks, we place a conscious emphasis on regionality, organic quality and/or fair trade.

GREEN EVENT COORDINATOR

For further information and clarification on the points listed above, please contact Daniela Mühlbacher (Communications Expert – ERSTE Stiftung, daniela.muehlbacher@erstestiftung.org) or Anika Dittrich (Green Event Officer at brandmood GmbH & CoKG, dittrich@brandmood.com ) before, during or after the event; they will also be happy to assist you with any special requirements.

Header image: © Valerie Maltseva/ERSTE Stiftung