A year full of challenges and successes
On 21 October 2025, Lower Austria looks back proudly on a turbulent but immensely successful sports year 2024. Despite numerous adversities, including high energy costs and a devastating flood disaster, the federal state has achieved remarkable progress in the sports sector. Particularly noteworthy is the statewide swimming initiative, the NÖ Schwimm Kids, which represents an important milestone for water safety.
The swimming initiative: A milestone for safety
The NÖ Schwimm Kids are a prime example of proactive safety measures. At a time when bathing accidents repeatedly make headlines, Lower Austria decided to start a comprehensive program offering free swimming lessons to children aged five to ten. This program, which is offered across all of Lower Austria, is very popular and has already produced numerous young swimmers.
“Every child in Lower Austria should be able to swim — that is our stated goal. Drowning accidents should be a thing of the past,” explains Sports Councillor and Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer. This initiative is not only a contribution to safety, but also to promoting physical activity and health among children.
Energy costs: A hurdle for sports clubs
Rising energy costs in 2024 posed a significant burden for many sports clubs. The costs for electricity and gas have steadily increased in recent years, putting many clubs under financial strain. To counter this problem, the Lower Austrian government negotiated with EVN, one of the country's largest energy suppliers, to secure stable and exclusive tariffs for the sports clubs.
“With electricity and gas tariffs that were specially negotiated with EVN — exclusive and stable — we can lower the fixed costs for Lower Austrian sports clubs and ease ongoing operations,” Landbauer continues. This measure shows how important it is to work closely with local companies to master the challenges of our time.
Flood disaster: A test of resilience
The year 2024 will also be remembered for the devastating flood disaster that severely damaged a substantial portion of the sports infrastructure. At the initiative of Udo Landbauer, the "Hochwasserhilfe Sport" was immediately launched. With an additional 6 million euros from the supplementary budget, damaged facilities could be restored and clubs that had been struggling with lost income were financially supported.
“Our roughly 3,500 clubs, 60 associations and about 250,000 volunteers do great work of incalculable value for the community, health and society,” emphasizes Landbauer. These organizations are the heart and backbone of sport in Lower Austria, and their swift response to the flood disaster is proof of their strength and determination.
Comparison with other federal states
While Lower Austria is setting new standards with its swimming initiative and the energy negotiations, other federal states are struggling with similar problems. For example, Upper Austria is also grappling with high energy costs but has not yet reached comparable agreements with energy suppliers. In Styria, on the other hand, initial pilot projects to promote swimming education are underway, modeled on Lower Austria's example.
Expert opinions on the future of sport in Lower Austria
Dr. Maria Schuster, a renowned sports scientist, sees a model function for all of Austria in the recent developments in Lower Austria: “The comprehensive support for sports clubs and the promotion of swimming instruction are steps in the right direction. These measures will not only strengthen the sports culture but also promote the population's physical health in the long term.”
The future of sport in Lower Austria looks promising. With a clear focus on safety, sustainability and community, the federal state is well prepared to take a leading role in Austrian sport in the coming years.
Impact on citizens
For the citizens of Lower Austria, these initiatives offer numerous benefits. Children benefit from improved swimming education, while sports clubs are financially relieved by reduced energy costs. The swift response to the flood disaster also shows that the government is ready to act decisively to protect citizens' interests.
“The support from the state government helped us not only to rebuild our facilities but also to strengthen our community,” says Thomas Berger, chairman of an affected sports club. “Without this help, we would not have made it.”
A look into the future
In the coming years, Lower Austria plans to further expand its efforts in the sports sector. Planned projects include extending the swimming initiative to older age groups and introducing further sustainable energy solutions for sports clubs. These measures will not only contribute to improving infrastructure but also to strengthening the community and the health of the population.
The developments in Lower Austria's sports sector are a shining example of how crises can be turned into opportunities. With a clear vision and the support of the community, Lower Austria is on the best path to creating an even stronger and more resilient sports landscape.
