The winners in 2014

The "Bad Ischl Health Workshop" helps people in difficult situations, for example single parents and the long-term unemployed, to lead healthy lives. The "health tutors" are given basic training and assigned 5-10 participants to join their health group, which meets regularly. Participants are encouraged to identify the factors that promote or prevent good health in their own circumstances and lifestyle and come up with suggestions for improvements.

Rundum Gsund in the Weinviertel is a regional health promotion project in the LEADER region of Weinviertel East. A total of 16 regional projects were carried out in 5 small areas. By focusing on aspects of mental and social health, which are improved by networking and participation in particular, the project contributed to both quality of life and regional awareness. Of special importance are the Health Officers in the small regions, who will in future be points of contact offering advice for projects in the region.

The aim of this 2-year project at the Romantikhotel Gmachl is to provide lasting and positive motivation for the 90 employees to look after their health. Once a steering group had been set up and a detailed period of analysis completed, specific measures were planned in health working groups, for example fitness checks and yoga classes. Furthermore, a permanent post was created with responsibility for "corporate health promotion" at the company. Over the long term, health promotion will become a permanent part of everyday working life.

"Xund und fit" (Healthy and fit) in the workplace is the motto for corporate health promotion at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre in Gross Gerungs. There are always activities going on for the approximately 180 employees,  including cookery classes, cardio fitness training and relaxation courses. They are also able to suggest activities for the programme themselves or run a course if they have suitable training. Employees also have an Active Pass: every time you take part in a programme activity, you are given a stamp. When you have collected 4 stamps, you can have a free 25-minute massage as a reward.

The health promotion scheme "Xunde Riedenbörger" at Riedenburg schools is based on encouraging participation. Learning together rather than teaching, using different methods, individualisation and creativity are the watchwords here, to get the students interested. From the 1st to the 8th class, one health priority is taught across all subjects. Topics include diet, exercise, wellbeing, getting on with each other and addiction prevention. The teaching is in the form of "team pool" classes and workshops during regular lessons.

In classes at the BUNDESGYMNASIUM ZEHNERGASSE, daily Vital4Brain exercises are incorporated into the lessons and students work through a 6-12 minute Vital4Brain module three times a week. A DVD has been produced to accompany the exercise programme. This allows all the teachers to incorporate Vital4Brain in their lessons after just four hours' training. Students in Year 7 are given several days of training to become a "peer coach" and look after the classes assigned to them by themselves, following a weekly timetable.

The project "loginclusion" helps people who are affected by unemployment, isolation or poverty to become integrated in healthy networks and to rediscover their personal potential. The target groups are reached through organisations working in health, social services and the labour market. There are over 15 healthy and socially integrative group activities each week, such as exercise and relaxation classes, mindfulness training and experience-focused outdoor events as well as creative and nutrition workshops.

The aim of Durchtrainierer is to make new social contacts and improve people's general state of health. Of course, there's a sporting element, too. But here it isn't the fastest who wins but the most hard-working. A scorecard is updated: if you keep a running appointment, you get a point or if you bring friends along, you get extra points. Whoever has the most points at the end of the season is the winner. New people with the same interests keep joining the group, forming a new social network.

The "Korneuburg Parent & Child Model" is a family support system that focuses on illness prevention. The target group are families with children under the age of 14 where a child falls ill, who are recommended by the hospital or paediatrician. The special value lies in the early, free help that is provided for parents, early recognition of any social or medical needs and support for families in using their own resources. Advice is also given after childbirth on matters of child care, breastfeeding, nutrition and development.