Transit work-places and training are provided for young unemployed people, they learn to work in bicycle sale and repair and are supported to find employment in the regular labour market.

The present manager has worked in another employment measure for young people (refurbishing of houses in Graz) already before the start of this project. Due to the character of the works carried out, this former project was fixed-term. The plan was to find a project of unlimited duration. Sale and repair of bicycles appeared optimal, since the bicycle-trend was about to start. Furthermore it appeared interesting for young people and technically not too demanding.

Since the guidelines for socio-economic-enterprises were just coming out, this organisational form was chosen for the new project. It was thus one of the first socio-economic enterprises in Austria. An already existing bicycle-repair-workshop was taken over and the project was started with 6 people, firstly only renting and repairing bikes. By and by more activities were added in order to employ more people and increase the profitability.

The participants (partly sent by the AMS) are in a fixed-term-contract for the first 2 months where objectives and possibilities are assessed. The team decides upon the further proceeding. If adequate assistance is assumed, the youth is employed for 6 more months of work and training.

Everyone works, at least briefly, in all activities to find out interests and skills. Stress is given to qualification (in crafts or office work). If needed, general education is provided too. After that, practical work places are organized for 6 months. Insertion: 40% into employment, 20-25% into another training scheme. 15-20% continue with military or civil service.

Social and Indirect Effects
The project aims at the sensibilization of the political environment for this target group, combining comprehensive economic, social and political aspects. Basically, the initiative is transferable. There are other bicycle projects in Austria, but there is variation concerning the market-aspect and professionality: the other initiatives put their focus more on socio-pedagogics, less on the economic aspect.

Assessment-Innovation-transferability
The innovative aspect of the initiative: in the bicycle sector this project is offering the most comprehensive set of services. A special workshop constructs bicycles for people with disabilities, and also offers their repair. Overall, the project-activities in the bicycle field are on a very high professional level. Further innovations are looked for. Assessment is provided by the labour market service (annual reports) an internal evaluation is carried out too.

Prospects
Projected is to join the bicycle path-redevelopment in the City of Graz; furthermore a concept-workshop for mountain bike-tourism is intended. The internally existing social know-how shall be used more thoroughly by looking for co-partners in business (enterprises which take over certain fields of personal development processes). The transit workers will then be employed by BICYCLE only in the initial phase and continue their work in the training and development of these companies. Thus, more work places will be created outside the project.

BICYCLE
Mr. Gerd Kronheim (Manager), tel. +43 316 82 13 57 0

01/01/1989

case

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration