Ideas for doing CAS in Austria: List of 50 charities and shelters

Ideas for doing CAS in Austria: List of 50 charities, homeless shelters and events to serve the community as an IB student

How to make a real differences for real results

byAnzhelika Karjalainen, MSc/July 15, 2023/inCAS/TOK, IB information, Inspiration, Tips

What is CAS?

CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, and Service. It is an essential component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, designed to develop well-rounded individuals who are actively engaged in their communities. CAS encourages students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and contribute positively to society.

Why to do CAS?

CAS plays a crucial role in holistic education, going beyond academics and encouraging students to apply their learning in real-life contexts. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth, enabling students to become compassionate, responsible global citizens. And most importantly, good CAS projects can offer you a ticket to a competitive university with chances for a full-paid scholarship.

In this article you will find a list of 50 ideas of doing a CAS project in Austria that can really impact other people’s lives and make a difference.

Introduction: What is CAS?
Importance of CAS in Education
Ideas for CAS Projects
Environmental Sustainability
Social Engagement
Arts and Culture
Sports and Physical Fitness
Benefits of CAS for Students
Conclusion
FAQs

Ideas for CAS Projects

Environmental Sustainability

Living sustainably is a choice and everyone can make a contribution Here are some ideas how to contribute to the environmental sustainability.

Creating a community garden: Establish a student-led garden that promotes sustainable farming practices and provides fresh produce for the local community.
Organizing a recycling campaign: Raise awareness about the importance of recycling and implement a recycling system within the school.
Designing eco-friendly initiatives: Develop projects to reduce waste, conserve energy, and promote sustainable practices within the school and the wider community.

Here you can find a list of all the community gardens in Vienna. There are so many of them that anyone can find a community garden next to their home. The list also contains contact information of the people responsible for the gardens, so just go ahead and give them a call. They will definitely appreciate your help ;)

Ideas for doing CAS in Austria: List of 30 charities, homeless and animal shelters to serve the community as an IB student

Social Engagement

There are so many ways to engage socially, espcially in the current times in the current world. Here are just some ideas and links to different organisations:

Mentoring underprivileged students: Offer tutoring or mentorship programs to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds excel academically and personally. As an international IB student you might know what it is like to struggle with schoolwork when your language is not up to the task. And so do numerous refugee and underpriviliged kids who cannot afford hiring a private tutor to help with their language. Tutoring other kids to improve their language or other studies is an excellent way to serve the community. If you fell like this is something you want to do, let us know, we can help you organise this.
Volunteering at local shelters: Support local homeless shelters by organizing donation drives, providing assistance, and raising awareness about homelessness.
Organizing charity events: Plan fundraising events, such as charity runs, bake sales, or talent shows, to support various causes and charities.

Here are some charity organizations in Vienna and Austria where you can do your service. One of our Math and Science tutors volunteers at the homeless shelter from Caritas. She said that many of the homeless people there speak English and might be of an expact background. So in case you are hesitant to voluneteer at the shelters due to the language barrier, do not be. Plus, kindness is a universal language.

Caritas Austria: Website – https://www.caritas.at/
Volkshilfe Ã–sterreich: Website – https://www.volkshilfe.at/
Red Cross Austria: Website – https://www.roteskreuz.at/
Diakonie Austria: Website – https://www.diakonie.at/
SOS Children’s Villages Austria: Website – https://www.sos-kinderdorf.at/
Licht ins Dunkel: Website – https://www.lichtinsdunkel.at/
Animal Care Austria: Website – https://www.animalcare-austria.at/
Wiener Tafel: Website – https://www.wienertafel.at/
Ã–sterreichische Krebshilfe (Austrian Cancer Aid): Website – https://www.krebshilfe.net/
Lebenshilfe Austria: Website – https://www.lebenshilfe.at/

Here is a list of animal shelters in Austria:

TierQuarTier Vienna: Website – https://www.tierquartier.at/
Wiener Tierschutzverein (Vienna Animal Welfare Association): Website – https://www.wiener-tierschutzverein.org/
Tierheim Linz (Linz Animal Shelter): Website – https://www.tierheim-linz.at/
Tierschutzverein Wels: Website – https://www.tierschutzverein-wels.at/
Tierschutzhaus Villach: Website – https://www.tierschutzverein-villach.at/
Tierschutzhaus Graz (Graz Animal Shelter): Website – https://www.tierschutzverein-graz.at/
Tierheim Salzburg (Salzburg Animal Shelter): Website – https://www.tierheim-salzburg.at/
Tierschutzverein NiederÃ¶sterreich (Lower Austria Animal Welfare Association): Website – https://www.tierheim-noe.at/

Here is a list of homeless shelters or homeless food canteens in Vienna and Austria:

VinziRast – Cafe & Nachtquartier (Vienna): Website – https://vinzirast.at/
Caritas Socialis – Housing for Homeless (Vienna): Website – https://www.caritas-socialis.at/
Gruft – Caritas Vienna (Vienna): Website – https://www.gruft.at/
Emmaus – Haus fÃ¼r Obdachlose (Vienna): Website – https://www.emmaus.at/
VinziWerke (Austria-wide): Website – https://vinziwerke.at/
Wiener Hilfswerk – VinziPort (Vienna): Website – https://www.wiener.hilfswerk.at/
Obdachlosenhilfe Tirol (Tyrol): Website – https://www.obdachlosenhilfe-tirol.at/

Ideas for doing CAS in Austria: List of 50 charities, homeless and animal shelters to serve the community as an IB student

Arts and Culture

If youÂ need help with the creativity part of your CAS project and you are into writing, photography, videography or content creation, reach out to us. We would have lots of projects for you.

Here are some more ideas:

Organizing a student art exhibition: Showcase students’ artwork through exhibitions, providing a platform for creativity and self-expression.
Starting a school choir or band: Form a musical group to perform at school events, local concerts, and community gatherings.
Writing and performing a play: Collaborate with fellow students to write, direct, and perform a play that addresses social issues or explores important themes.
Create a short film or documentary highlighting a social issue or raising awareness about a local community initiative.
Design and paint a mural in a public space that reflects a specific theme or message relevant to your community.
Organize a photography exhibition featuring the work of local photographers, focusing on capturing the essence of your city or region.
Write and perform an original play or musical that addresses a thought-provoking topic, such as mental health or environmental sustainability.
Establish a creative writing club or publication where students can showcase their literary talents and share their stories or poetry.
Develop a website or mobile app that provides a platform for emerging artists to display their artwork and connect with potential buyers.
Choreograph and present a contemporary dance performance that explores cultural diversity and celebrates inclusivity.
Host a fashion show or design competition using recycled materials, promoting sustainable fashion and highlighting the importance of reducing waste.
Create a podcast series that interviews local entrepreneurs, artists, and change-makers, sharing their inspiring stories and insights.
Curate an interactive art exhibition that encourages audience participation and explores the theme of identity and self-expression in the digital age.

Remember to adapt these ideas based on your interests, available resources, and the specific requirements of your CAS project.

Ideas for doing CAS in Austria: List of 50 charities, homeless and animal shelters to serve the community as an IB student - creativity ideas

Sports and Physical Fitness

Hosting a sports tournament for charity: Organize a sports event to raise funds for a charitable cause, bringing together athletes and supporters from the community.
Organizing fitness challenges: Plan fitness challenges, such as marathons or obstacle courses, to promote physical well-being and encourage healthy lifestyles.
Creating a wellness program for students: Develop a program that focuses on mental and physical well-being, offering workshops, meditation sessions, and fitness classes.
Participating in the Wings for Life Run to support the spinal cord research. For some motivation, join our team next year! This year we started our run at Amadeus International School. Maybe next year we will start at your school ;)

Here is the list of other charity or awareness runs held in Austra:

Vienna City Marathon: A popular annual marathon event held in Vienna, attracting thousands of participants from around the world. It offers charity entry options, allowing participants to raise funds for various causes.
Graz Marathon: A marathon event held in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city. It offers different race distances, including a full marathon, half marathon, and relay options, with the opportunity to run for charity.
Pink Ribbon Run: An annual charity run organized by Pink Ribbon Austria, raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research and support programs. The event usually takes place in Vienna and offers various distances for all fitness levels.
Salzburg Women’s Run: A women-focused running event held in Salzburg, encouraging women of all ages and abilities to participate. The event supports local charitable organizations and promotes women’s health and well-being.
Vienna Night Run: An evening race through the streets of Vienna, attracting a large number of participants. While it is not specifically a charity run, it creates a vibrant atmosphere and supports a healthy lifestyle.
Rote Nasen Lauf: A charity run organized by the Red Noses Clowndoctors International, dedicated to bringing joy and laughter to sick children. The event takes place in various cities across Austria, and participants can raise funds to support the organization’s work.
Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival: A trail running event held in Innsbruck, offering challenging mountain courses and stunning scenery. While it may not be directly linked to a specific charity, it provides an opportunity to explore the outdoors and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Carinthian Ironman Austria: A triathlon event held in Klagenfurt, attracting athletes from around the world. While it is not solely a charity event, participants often raise funds for various causes and organizations.
Tiroler Frauenlauf: A women’s run held in Innsbruck, promoting women’s health and empowering women of all ages to engage in physical activity. The event may collaborate with local charities and organizations to support specific causes.

Please note that the availability and dates of these events may vary each year, so it’s recommended to check the respective event websites for the most up-to-date information.

Ideas for doing CAS in Austria: List of 50 charities, homeless and animal shelters to serve the community as an IB student - creativity ideas - sports ideas

Benefits of CAS for Students

Although it might seem daunting and annoying at times, CAS offers numerous benefits for students, such as:

Skill development: Students acquire new skills and enhance their existing abilities through engaging in diverse CAS activities.
Personal growth: CAS encourages self-reflection, personal growth, and the development of a sense of identity.
Global awareness: By participating in CAS projects, students gain a deeper understanding of global issues and develop empathy towards diverse cultures and communities.
Leadership and teamwork: CAS promotes leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others.
College and career readiness: CAS experiences provide valuable experiences and insights that can enhance college applications and prepare students for future careers.

And if you feel that engaging in CAS projects affects your studies, interrupts your academic rountine or poses other challenges there are ways you can overcome it. Here are just a few solutions:

Schools provide students with guidance and resources to help them effectively manage their time and commitments. If you feel overwhelmed go to your CAS coordinator and openly talk about what is bothering you.
Your CAS coordinator might already collaborate with community organizations, which means that together they can help identify meaningful CAS opportunities that align with you interests and aspirations.
If CAS is integrated into your curriculum make sure you manage the time right to complete your CAS project. Furthermore, integrated CAS allows students to explore connections between their CAS experiences and their coursework creating an additional advatage and something to write about on your college motivation letter.

Conclusion

Participating in CAS empowers students to unleash their creativity, explore their passions, and make a positive impact on their communities. By engaging in diverse CAS activities, students develop a broad range of skills and qualities that are vital for personal and academic growth. Embracing CAS is not only an integral part of the IB program but also a pathway towards becoming compassionate, well-rounded individuals who contribute meaningfully to society.

Want more ideas? Here is a list of 100 more CAS project ideas relevant in 2023/2024.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are CAS projects mandatory for IB students?

CAS projects are a mandatory component of the IB program. They are designed to foster personal growth, develop skills, and encourage community engagement.

Can students choose their own CAS projects?

Yes, students have the flexibility to choose CAS projects based on their interests and passions. This allows them to pursue activities that resonate with their goals and aspirations.

How many CAS hours do students need to complete?

The IB program requires students to complete a minimum of 150 CAS hours over the course of two years. These hours are spread across creativity, activity, and service projects.

Can students collaborate on CAS projects?

Absolutely! Collaboration and teamwork are encouraged in CAS projects. Working together with peers fosters the development of important interpersonal skills and enriches the overall CAS experience.

How do CAS experiences benefit students beyond high school?

CAS experiences provide students with valuable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and a global mindset, that are highly valued by colleges and universities. They also contribute to personal growth and the development of a well-rounded individual.

About the Author

Anzhelika is a PhD candidate in Genetics and a marketing consultant at U4Success from Vienna, Austria. She leads our website and social media content strategy.