Community Interpreting (CI)

The project aims to provide people who have not been trained as interpreters but are already working or aiming to work as such with basic training in community interpreting. It is unique in Western Austria. After successfully completing the course, graduates can register on a public online list, provided by Tyrolean administraive authorities, and can thus be contacted by organisations in need of interpreting services. Professionals are trained in working with interpreters, too. The project helps to break down linguistic and cultural barriers and thus contributes to intercultural understanding

People who struggle and/or do not speak German are dependent on interpreters to fulfil basic needs, such as accessing healthcare, education, the judicial system, etc. Migrants and refugees are also vulnerable and often do not have access to interpreting. 

Community Interpreting (CI) provides lay interpreters with basic interpreting skills (including lesser-known spoken languages) who cannot receive training due to accessibility and/or costs. The project also trains organisations in interpreter-based communication.

We work with lay interpreters who speak multiple languages due to their heritage and/or training. The organisation also works with refugees and migrants, NGOs, and public institutions (hospitals, public administration offices, police, social institutions, asylum offices, etc.). 

The project empowers refugees and migrants by giving them a voice through a trained professional interpreter. It also empowers the interpreters by giving them access to paid work. The project also raises awareness of intercultural communication and social inclusion. 

The interpreting training in its entirety can be held in different parts of Austria and other countries, if sufficient funding is provided. This also applies to the training programme for professionals who work with interpreters.