SozialRechtsNetz

The project SozialRechtsNetz aims to strengthen social rights in Austria through raising awareness and providing access to social human rights. Although Austria is a well established social welfare state, social rights as part of the human rights declaration, are not acknowledged in the constitutional law. Therefore SozialRechtsNetz empowers people at risk of poverty to access their social rights. Projects activities include: strategic litigation, capacity building for social workers and legal practitioners, building national alliances to enforce exchange of relevant stakeholders and advocacy.

Austria has an established welfare system, but social rights are still not recognized as human rights enforced by the constitution. In addition, many people − especially those at risk and affected by poverty− do not know what rights they have, despite its importance in times of welfare state cutbacks.

Through free legal representation for marginalised communities, as well as continuing training and networking of practitioners and lawyers, an equal opportunity and effective access to social rights in Austria is possible. Leading decisions of the courts of law can consequently have an impact beyond the individual case.

SozialRechtsNetz (“Social Rights Network”) reaches people affected by and at risk of poverty in Austria as well as social legal actors such as social and legal advisors, lawyers and judges. In addition to free legal representation, the work offered by our organization enables an exchange and knowledge transfer between these marginalized communities and across all socio-legal support networks.

The project empowers individuals to assert and enforce their legal claims. It also raises awareness of the social rights and responsibility of the state to make this support accessible to all. Improved legal enforcement of social rights and legal security contribute to poverty prevention and reduction.

A drop-in centre for social legal exchange and judicial representation can be implemented in other regions by mediating networks between those affected and experts. The results of legal representation can make an essential contribution to developing a unified jurisdiction.