What makes repair cafés successful

Around 1,900 volunteers get involved in repair cafés. Volunteering is a central success factor, said the study author Maria Langsenlehner from the environmental umbrella organization.

Almost 100 initiatives across Austria

95 initiatives with more than 860 events an 227 locations were included in the study. The density is highest in Salzburg and Tyrol and lowest in Vienna.

The majority of initiatives have no formal structure or structure Association organized. Also The municipality and church institutions act as sponsors of the Repair Cafés, which often take place in educational institutions, community halls or event and cultural centers.

Service and coordination points, the use of existing infrastructure and legal protection are also important for success, said Langsenlehner. A comprehensive list of such repair cafés can be found at repaircafes.at.

Used by older people and families

The repair cafés are mainly visited by the older generation, but also families, said Langsenlehner. Economic reasons also play a role in the latter. Young people are largely missing. That’s why it’s important to bring the topic to schools, said the study author.

The idea was born in Amsterdam. Found there 2009 the first Repair Café also took place. Such initiatives have also existed in Austria since 2013. “They make an important contribution to society and show that the circular economy can work,” says Nina Birkner-Tröger from the consumer policy department in the AK Vienna.

More political support required

Birkner-Tröger called for more political support and the anchoring of Structures both on Federal and state levelsthe initiatives network with each other and provide information about events. Where there are coordination points, such repair cafés run stably; if not, volunteers reach their limits more quickly, said study author Langsenlehner.

More financial support for the repair initiatives was also suggested. Through the Inclusion in environmental and climate funding programs Municipalities would also have more incentives to provide such services across the board.