A society that is resilient and works for all people needs an inclusive economic basis in order to look to the future with confidence.

We see this as an important prerequisite for the preservation of our democratic values and principles, which ultimately give every person the right, the opportunity and the support to lead a self-determined and fulfilling life.

ERSTE Foundation is here to pave the way to this reality for people in our regions. This commitment also applies to those who are underserved and marginalised, and those who are in danger of becoming so.

Our tasks

We focus our knowledge and resources on:

Financial Health

This is the economic basis for a functioning and resilient society. That is why we want to promote the development and maintenance of financial health at all levels of society.

Democratic values and principles

Through our social, economic, societal and cultural activities, we want to strengthen and expand liberal democracy in our regions and in Europe together with our partners from civil society.

Independence

As an influential core shareholder, we strengthen Erste Group’s independence and thus give its management the support it needs to think long-term and act innovatively.      

Our areas of work

We organise our work in the following thematic areas:

– Financial Education

– Social Finance

– Europe & Democracy

– Culture

– Digital & Social Innovation

Our history

No age, no gender,
no class, no nation
shall be excluded from the advantages
which the Savings Bank
offers to every depositor.

From the founding charter of the »Erste oesterreichische Spar-Casse«. Vienna, October 1819
 

Our story begins in October 1819 with this message of confidence. It stated that access to prosperity should be open to all people in the future. It should no longer be dependent on the arbitrariness of a ruling class. In this deeply human spirit, our founders opened the first inclusive monetary institution in our region: the »Erste oesterreichische Spar-Casse«.

ERSTE Foundation is the legal successor of the institution established in 1819 and was founded in its present form in December 2003. ERSTE Foundation is also the core shareholder of Erste Group, carrying the values inscribed into the founding charter of 1819 into the future.