How can girls and women with a migration background be supported on their path to a self-determined life and better protected from violence? How can antisemitic attitudes and signs of radicalization be recognized early on? And how can artificial intelligence be used effectively in German language teaching? The 60 professional development courses in the new seminar program of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) in the winter semester 2026/27 offer answers to these and other questions. The seminar program is aimed at all individuals who deal with integration issues professionally or on a voluntary basis – such as educators, teachers of German courses, healthcare workers, or representatives of authorities, municipalities, and companies. Participation is free of charge; all dates and registration can be found at www.integrationsfonds.at/seminare .
The ÖIF offers further training, workshops and conferences on seven key topics through its seminar program:
- learn German
- Starting your career
- Women's empowerment and protection from violence
- Commitment against antisemitism
- Security and prevention of radicalization and extremism
- Discrimination and cyberbullying
- Integration in school and kindergarten
Expert conference focuses on violence against women, forced marriage and FGM/C
A key focus of the current seminar program is promoting self-determined lives for women and girls with a migration background, as well as violence prevention and protection. The training courses provide foundational knowledge about the situation of migrant and female refugee women in Austria, inform about victims' rights and legal measures against violence and stalking, and offer practical recommendations for working with women and girls.
As part of the UN campaign "Orange the World – 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence," the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is hosting an expert conference at the Integration Center in Vienna on November 26, 2026. Violence and gender researcher Birgitt Haller will address femicide and forced marriage, as well as violence prevention measures in Austria. Umyma El-Jelede and Friederike Widholm from FEM Süd will discuss female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and other forms of traditional violence. Katharina Reisinger and Theresa Amon (ÖIF) will examine forms of familial and social control and their impact on the self-determination of girls and women, as well as available support and intervention options.
Integration in schools and kindergartens: New conference for educators on language support and intercultural work with parents
Current challenges in schools and kindergartens are the focus of several professional development courses in the new seminar program. Daniel Swaton (Vienna Police) provides practical insights into violence and extremism prevention among young people and police work in schools. Professor Katharina Pabel (Vienna University of Economics and Business) examines Austrian and European human rights protection with a particular focus on children's and youth rights. On January 19, 2027, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) also invites educators to the conference "Promoting Language. Empowering Children. Reaching Parents." at the Vienna Integration Center. The focus will be on language support for multilingual children, intercultural work with parents, and practical methods for language development.
Digital tools and AI for German lessons
Learning German is key to integration, therefore a special focus is placed on language acquisition. The professional development program addresses current challenges in language teaching and provides teachers of German and literacy courses with didactic concepts, digital tools, and opportunities for the effective use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning German. Topics range from creating and using audio and podcasts with AI to digital materials for German lessons, targeted preparation for language proficiency tests, and the use of the ÖIF language portal in German as a Second Language (GSL) instruction.
High satisfaction with the ÖIF seminar program among participants
To date, around 13,000 people have participated in the ÖIF's continuing education programs. 86% of respondents stated that the seminars met or exceeded their expectations; 87% would recommend the ÖIF seminars.
All dates and registration at www.integrationsfonds.at/seminare .