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A nationwide initiative is showcasing the dedication of Austria‘s young people to community service and social impact.
Thousands of young Austrians have been participating in the “72 Hours Without Compromise” campaign since Wednesday, October 22, 2025, undertaking a diverse range of social, ecological, and creative projects. The campaign, organized by the Catholic Youth Austria since 2002, has seen particularly strong engagement in Burgenland, where 400 young people are involved in 17 distinct projects.
A Legacy of Volunteerism
The “72 Hours Without Compromise” initiative boasts a critically important track record, accumulating over three million hours of volunteer work across numerous projects in recent years. This year’s event underscores a powerful message about the current generation, as highlighted by a diocesan bishop during the opening ceremony in Neusiedl am See.”And this is also clear proof that you are not just the TikTok generation, but that you are also the generation that wants to make a concrete contribution to society,” the bishop stated.
The opening event, held at the Pannoneum in Neusiedl am See, also drew praise from State Councilor Daniela Winker (SPÖ), who emphasized the vital role of volunteerism and expressed gratitude for the young people’s contributions.
Diverse Projects, Tangible Impact
The projects undertaken during “72 Hours Without Compromise” are remarkably diverse, reflecting the broad interests and skills of the participating youth. Caritas, a key partner in the campaign, highlighted the direct impact of these efforts.According to director Melanie Balaskovics, the young volunteers are actively “making the world a little better” through initiatives such as assisting elderly individuals and those in need of care in retirement and care facilities, and collecting essential donations for children facing hardship.
Rafael Haigermoser from Catholic Youth Austria remarked on the extraordinary scale of accomplishment possible within a short timeframe, stating it was “amazing what young people can achieve as a group in just a few days.”
Students from the Bilingual High School in Oberwart are contributing to the effort through practical tasks like clearing leaves at the cemetery and providing companionship to residents of dementia centers and senior gardens. Concurrently, their peers are supporting the Sterntalerhof, an organization providing support for those navigating life, death, and grief, including staffing a booth at the weekly market in Oberwart.
Another group took on a unique challenge, functioning as a “special graffiti unit” to remove unwanted markings from a local sports hall. Despite the demanding nature of the work, participants emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of enjoyment throughout the “72 hours without compromise.”
The campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for positive change when young people are empowered to engage with their communities.
Why: The “72 Hours Without Compromise” campaign, organized by Catholic Youth Austria, aims to showcase the dedication of young Austrians to community service and social impact.
Who: Thousands of young Austrians, particularly 400 in Burgenland, are participating. Key organizations involved include Catholic Youth austria and caritas. State Councilor Daniela Winker and a diocesan bishop also offered support.
What: Participants undertake diverse projects, including assisting the elderly, collecting donations for children, clearing public spaces, providing grief support, and removing graffiti.
How did it end? The 2025 campaign concluded on October 25,2025,after 72 hours of volunteer work. While the immediate campaign ended, the initiative continues annually, having accumulated over three million
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