National Competence Centre against Abduction

Project owner: PeriFeri - Verein zur Förderung von Bildung, Beratung und Empowerment

Responsible person: Meltem Weiland

2026

Nominated

AT

Civil Society / Social Economy

What is it about?

The project is the central institution throughout Austria for people who have been taken abroad against their will by relatives and are being held there. Those affected are often deceived or pressured and only realise the predicament they are in once they are abroad. The competence centre is the only specialised agency in Austria that provides advice and support, informs people at risk at an early stage and enables the safe return of people who have already been abducted through coordinated cooperation and preventive measures.