Skip to content
Press Release 28th March 2025

BILLA supports the language café of the Kontaktepool project at the Wiener Hilfswerk Neighbourhood Centre 15

Wiener Hilfswerk's language café moved from the 5th to the 15th district of Vienna and opened its doors on 27 March at Nachbarschaftszentrum 15 (Sechshauser Straße 76). As part of the ‘Kontaktepool Wien’ project, which was taken over by Wiener Hilfswerk on 1 January 2025, the language café has been a meeting place for people of different origins and languages for over 12 years. With the support of BILLA, visitors are offered drinks and snacks on site free of charge or for a free donation, which contributes to the cosy atmosphere and intercultural exchange.

Sabine Geringer (Managing Director of Wiener Hilfswerk) and Hamed Mohseni (BILLA Sales Director in Vienna) at the reopening of the language café in the 15th district.

Sabine Geringer (Managing Director of Wiener Hilfswerk) and Hamed Mohseni (BILLA Sales Director in Vienna) at the reopening of the language café in the 15th district. / Copyright: © Wiener Hilfswerk, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

Download

"The Language Café is an outstanding example of how language diversity and social interaction can be successfully combined. We are delighted to support the Sprachencafé and offer people a platform to meet, regardless of their origin or financial means," explains Hamed Mohseni, BILLA Sales Director in Vienna.

Language café as a place for learning and socialising

On three evenings a week, up to 130 visitors meet in the language café to exchange ideas in different languages. The life stories and motivations are just as varied as the languages spoken: People with a history of flight and migration improve their German skills there, while locals often take the opportunity to expand their foreign language skills in practice. Each language table is led by a native speaker, which ensures an authentic language experience. This not only enables people to improve their linguistic skills, but also promotes dialogue and getting to know each other as equals.

The new location in the Neighbourhood Centre 15 in the 15th district also offers space for other community activities. "With our new location, we are creating an open and inclusive space for all people. Here at Neighbourhood Centre 15, neighbours can meet each other, exchange ideas and get active together - without any barriers. Whether in painting groups, learning clubs, psychological or health consultations, free flea markets, community cooking, play groups or in our language cafés - the neighbourhood centre is intended to be a place of diversity, support and togetherness where everyone is welcome," emphasises Elisabeth Kausek, Head of Neighbourhood Centre 15.