iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 24/09/2026

Regaining a sense of agency requires embracing nuanced thinking and giving greater weight to long-term perspectives rather than immediate emotional reactions. @iwm.at offers a space for exactly this kind of reflection at the Vienna Humanities Festival 2026: www.humanitiesfestival.at

A poster for the Vienna Humanities Festival 2026 features stylized yellow figures dancing and reaching upwards, with text indicating the festival dates, location, and theme.

020

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 03/08/2026

Two years after the full-scale invasion began, Yaroslava Melnychenko returned to Kyiv and gained access to the Taras Shevchenko National Museum. What she found wasn't visible destruction, but absence: the paintings had been evacuated, leaving only pale outlines on the walls where they once hung.

110

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 15/05/2026

On 13 May @anneapplebaum.bsky.social took the stage at Vienna's Judenplatz to deliver this year's Speech to Europe, »The European Moment«. Read the full speech in our journal: www.erstestiftung.org/en/a-speech-t…

A woman with brown hair wearing a black suit speaking at a podium in front of what appears to be a gray or cloudy backdrop.

000

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 09/03/2026

Art historian Katia Denysova on keeping culture alive under pressure, & why Ukraine's struggle demands our continued attention. In a world of many crises and shifting headlines, Ukrainian culture refuses to stop. Full interview: www.erstestiftung.org/en/three-ques…

Black and white portrait of Katia Denysova. Overlaid is the quote: »In Ukraine, culture functions not as a privilege or pastime, but as a means fo adapting and resisting.«

Text on gray background: »Ukrainian culture does not merely survive but continues as a living entity and an active force of resistance.«

011

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 24/02/2026

4 years ago today, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We all read the headlines. But for most of us, it is hard to imagine what daily life in Ukraine looks like right now. Anna Makhno from our Next Visionaries programme takes us along on one day in Kyiv.

110

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 16/05/2025

Each year, the event invites the speaker to deliver a narrative which shines a different light on the Europe we live in, and would like to live in. A joint event by Wiener Festwochen, ERSTE Foundation and @iwm.at. In cooperation with the Jewish Museum Vienna.

000

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 16/05/2025

Her speech explores what it means to be a migrant in a divided world — at once open and alienated, seen and erased. Standing in front of Vienna’s Holocaust Memorial, @leaypi.bsky.social reminds us that the cost of exclusion is not abstract, it is written in stone.

100

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 16/05/2025

In Vienna’s Judenplatz, »A Speech to Europe« offers an annual moment of reflection on Europe’s past, present, and future. This year, renowned philosopher and political scientist @leaypi.bsky.social took the stage to reflect on migration and identity.

100

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 16/05/2025

A Speech To Europe 2025: »A world in which nobody is forced to leave their home« by @leaypi.bsky.social What does Europe mean today — and how can we hear its voice in a city’s heart? The full speech: www.erstestiftung.org/en/a-speech-...

120

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 08/05/2025

This year, @leaypi.bsky.social, an Albanian-British political scientist and philosopher, will deliver the Speech to Europe. Launched in 2019, it brings critical voices to Vienna’s Judenplatz — a historic site that invites reflection on Europe’s past & present. www.erstestiftung.org/en/events/a-...

110

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 08/05/2025

📚“We never lose our inner freedom; the freedom to do what is right.” – Free by @leaypi.bsky.social A sharp, moving memoir about growing up in Albania during the collapse of communism. Personal & political, it explores freedom and ideology. Available in EN & DE at the ERSTE Foundation Library.

110

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 28/02/2025

Join the discussion of Germany’s future and its future role in Europe at Burgtheater - with @gfelbermayr.bsky.social, @mariafiedler.bsky.social, Katja Hoyer & @eurobriefing.bsky.social, moderated by @krisenfrey.bsky.social. More: www.erstestiftung.org/en/events/can…

020

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 24/02/2025

Three years of war. One truth: Ukraine must not stand alone 3 years ago, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 3 years of loss—but also courage, unity, determination. Solidarity is as crucial today as on day 1. #StandWithUkraine means standing for justice, democracy, shared values.

000

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 20/02/2025

Read our full reflection on three years of commitment to Ukraine⬇️ www.erstestiftung.org/en/press/thr...

010

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 20/02/2025

Supporting Ukraine is about more than rebuilding what was lost—it is about imagining and creating what could be. The challenges facing Ukraine are vast, but so too are the opportunities. Even amid the devastation of war, there is room for hope, innovation, and progress.

110

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 20/02/2025

As our Programme Director for European Policies and Ukraine, Yana Barinova, states: "The war is not solely about Ukraine—it tests the unity of the European community."

100

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 20/02/2025

Through initiatives like Professional Integration HUB, Kyiv Media School, Next Visionaries, Policy Labs, Civil Society Leadership Programme by NGO Academy, advocacy trips, & diverse cultural diplomacy projects, we seek to help Ukraine become a model for democratic & resilient societies worldwide.

100

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 20/02/2025

From emergency response to long-term support, we have evolved our mission to foster transformative partnerships across civil society, private and public sectors that build the foundation for modern institutions in post-war Ukraine and inspire European innovation.

100

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 20/02/2025

As Russia's brutal full-scale war against Ukraine enters its 4th year, we stand firm in our commitment to 🇺🇦: It's not just an act of solidarity; it's an investment in the continent’s stability&peace. We see our support for 🇺🇦 as a principled stance in defence of democracy, freedom, & human dignity.

130

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 24/01/2025

Statement of ERSTE Foundation on the incidents that happened after an NGO Academy workshop in Belgrade this week (2/2)

Neither the team of the Vienna University of Economics and Business nor anyone from the ERSTE Foundation was informed why this happened. The programme has been running since 2013 and several similar workshops have been held in Belgrade before.

This incident is extremely worrying. Together with our partner, NGO Academy, we continue to monitor the situation closely. On 23 January, the Austrian Embassy in Serbia protested against the treatment of the participants of the event and their subsequent expulsion.

We are deeply sorry that the participants of the workshop had to undergo this experience, and we reaffirm our continued commitment to civil society in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe.

020

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 24/01/2025

Statement of ERSTE Foundation on the incidents that happened after an NGO Academy workshop in Belgrade this week (1/2)

From 20 to 21 January 2025, the renowned NGO Academy held a workshop in Belgrade. This capacity building programme for NGOs is organised by the NGO Academy team of the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

The workshop was entitled “Earned Income Strategies for Purpose-driven Organisations”, planned in July 2024 and opened for registration within the NGO Academy Network of 580 NGOs end of August 2024. 22 persons from 12 different countries took part in the workshop.

On 21 January in the late evening, several participants of the workshop in Belgrade were brought to a police station, questioned by authorities, and subsequently banned from the country.
We know from 13 participants from 8 countries by now who were treated this way.

140

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 13/01/2025

Nationalism & repression are reshaping Eastern Europe's cultural scene. At A Stage for Eastern Europe, Cathrin Kahlweit discusses this with Michal Hvorecky & Paul Lendvai. 📅 19.01.25 www.erstestiftung.org/en/events/ein…

070

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 10/01/2025

Die Welt ist heute ambivalent: Offenheit und Abschottung bestehen nebeneinander. In "Durch Widersprüche hindurch" zeigt Nathalie Tocci, wie Europa durch diese Spannungen navigieren kann. www.iwm.at/publication/iwm-books/du…

030

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 08/01/2025

How extreme fringe groups exploited social media & took over the political mainstream Join Dr Julia Ebner for the NGO Academy Keynote as she explores radicalisation in CEE & its threat to democracy. 📅 15.01.25 www.erstestiftung.org/en/events/ngo…

020

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 30/12/2024

What does Trump’s re-election mean for Ukraine, NATO, & Europe’s economy? "Debating Europe" with Balázs Orbán, Nathalie Tocci, Hannelore Veit; moderated by Misha Glenny. 12 January, 11:00 at Burgtheater Vienna - details at: www.erstestiftung.org/en/events/eur…

041

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 20/12/2024

What an eventful year! There's still so much to be done - but your dedication and support make all the difference. Thank you! Our office and ERSTE Foundation Library are closed until and including 6 Jan 2025. All the best, we look forward to seeing you in the new year.

010

ERSTE Foundation @erstestiftung.org · 17/12/2024

Calling all journalists! Apply now for the Milena Jesenská Fellowship. Take 3 months in Vienna to dive deep into your research, supported by a stipend, access to IWM resources, & an inspiring community. ❗️Deadline: 15.01.25 www.iwm.at/program/milena-jesenska-…

031