fit4internet

fit4internet is a non-partisan and independent association with the objective of qualifying and quantifying digital literacy among the Austrian population. The primary goal is to enable the competent use of digital technologies and ensure a broad participation of the entire society in the digitalisation process.

Statement by Margarete Schramböck, patron of the fit4internet initiative:

“We have never been at such a rapid pace of progress as now. Technologies that we use and that accompany us in various ways outdate each other almost by the hour. At the same time, the tools we use to communicate are also constantly developing. Our society has arrived in the digital age a long time ago. But is really everyone actively participating? Not at all! This is exactly where we must take action immediately.

An EU comparison ranks Austria in eighth position in terms of citizens’ digital skills.  Our country is affected by a lasting shortage of professionals in the field of information and communication technology. It is about time to push ahead digitalisation! Seniors, employees and teenagers are supported by a demand-oriented education in order to safely use the internet and all sorts of mobile communication tools and – not least – be successful in the job market.”

fit4internet is organised as a non-profit association for the benefit of the public. The association works in close cooperation with companies, institutions and organisations and functions as a platform that has committed itself to raising digital competences in Austria. fit4internet supports Austrians in keeping pace with the rapid digital change and using their skills and knowledge for personal and professional growth by actively using qualification offers.

Objectives and tasks of the association:

• Rapid and standardised development of competences and dissemination of knowledge in order to cope with digital demands in the Austrian economy and society
• Coordination of as many IT-relevant organisations and companies as possible in order to gain the broadest possible basis for the implementation of these goals
• Promotion of qualification offers for three focus groups: youth, employees and those re-entering the workforce, seniors
• Bundling of activities to increase basic skills for mobile internet use
• Development of the Austrian certification system for digital skills according to the EU DigComp

The association f4i is structured as follows:

• Board: President and Vice Presidents
• Advisory Board: Advisory Board Members
• General Assembly: Ordinary Members (please link to members)
• Auditors
• General Secretariat

The Board is responsible for the operational and strategic management of the association and represents it externally. The General Secretariat manages the association’s office and is subordinate to the Board. The Advisory Board consists of members who support the other bodies of the association in carrying out its activities, in particular through substantive, organizational, or project-related contributions, and act in an advisory capacity.

Presidents since foundation:

• MMag. Peter Oswald, 2018 – 2021
• Reinhard Gojer, MBA, 2021 – 2023
• Ing. Mag. Markus Schaffhauser, CMC, 2023 – present

Vice Presidents since foundation:

• Mag. Thomas Arnoldner, 2018 – 2023
• Ing. Wolfgang Hesoun, 2018 – 2023
• DI Dr. Sabine Herlitschka, 2018 – 2025
• Mag. Georg Krause, 2023 – 2025
• Dr. Roland Mechtler, 2023 – 2024
• Mag. Patricia Neumann, 2018 – 2025
• Ing. Paul Prihoda, 2023 – present
• DI Dr. Georg Pölzl, 2018 – 2023
• Dr. Johann Strobl, 2018 – 2023

Chairs of the Advisory Board:

• Reinhard Gojer, MBA, 2023 – present
• Ing. Wolfgang Hesoun, 2023 – present