A year full of challenges and successes
On 21 October 2025, Lower Austria looks back with pride on a turbulent but immensely successful sports year 2024. Despite numerous adversities, including high energy costs and a devastating flood disaster, the state has made remarkable progress in the field of sports. Particularly noteworthy is the statewide swimming initiative, the NÖ Schwimm Kids, which represents an important milestone for safety on the water.
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 the headlines, Lower Austria decided to launch a comprehensive program that offers free swimming lessons to children aged five to ten. This program, which is offered across all of Lower Austria, is extremely popular and has already produced numerous young swimmers.
"Every child in Lower Austria should be able to swim – that is our stated goal. Bathing accidents should be a thing of the past," explains Sports Provincial Councillor and Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer. This initiative is not only a contribution to safety but also to promoting exercise 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 providers, to secure stable and exclusive tariffs for the sports clubs.
"With exclusive and stable electricity and gas tariffs negotiated specifically with EVN, we can reduce 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 meet 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 considerable part of the sports infrastructure. At the initiative of Udo Landbauer, the "Hochwasserhilfe Sport" was set up immediately. With an additional 6 million euros from the supplementary budget, both damaged facilities could be restored and clubs that were struggling with lost income were able to receive financial support.
"Our approximately 3,500 clubs, 60 associations and about 250,000 volunteers do outstanding 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 quick 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 facing similar problems. For example, Upper Austria is also struggling with high energy costs but has not yet reached comparable agreements with energy suppliers. In Styria, by contrast, initial pilot projects to promote swimming instruction 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 recent developments in Lower Austria as a model for the whole of Austria: "The comprehensive support for sports clubs and the promotion of swimming lessons are steps in the right direction. These measures will not only strengthen the sporting culture, but will also promote the physical health of the population in the long term."
The future of sport in Lower Austria looks promising. With a clear focus on safety, sustainability and community, the state is well equipped 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 will benefit from improved swimming instruction, while sports clubs will be financially relieved by reduced energy costs. The rapid response to the flood disaster also shows that the government is prepared to act decisively to protect the interests of citizens.
„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 assistance, we would not have made it.“
A glimpse 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 additional sustainable energy solutions for sports clubs. These measures will not only contribute to improving infrastructure but also to strengthening community ties and the population's health.
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 well on its way to creating an even stronger and more resilient sports landscape.
