Rosa Bergmann studied economics and social economy and social work in Vienna and completed the Teach For Austria Leadership Program, through which she worked in a middle school in Vienna. It was there that she first became aware that for many children and young people, extracurricular education is a privilege that comes at a high cost. That’s why she founded Vienna Hobby Lobby in 2019 with her co-founders and has been the organization’s executive director ever since. With the help of volunteer course instructors, free leisure courses are now implemented at seven, soon eight, locations in Austria, through which socioeconomically disadvantaged children and young people are given the opportunity to discover their strengths and realize their potential.
Hobby Lobby is based on a social franchise concept, through which the idea is to be adopted in other Austrian provinces and, in the long term, in other countries as well. In addition, the Youth Leaders Program was created to offer former participants the opportunity to be trained as supportive course leaders and thus take responsibility for younger children. Peer learning and participation are in the focus and the impact of the organization will be deepened here.
