Vienna withdraws funding from 13 kindergartens over irregularities

The City of Vienna has withdrawn funding from 13 kindergarten associations following the discovery of financial irregularities and malversation. According to information obtained by the ÖVP through a freedom of information request, these associations have received a total of 121 million euros in subsidies since 2010.

Approximately 1,500 children are affected by these closures, as none of the involved associations can continue operations without public funding. While over 1 million euros is being reclaimed, the city has not yet filed criminal complaints, stating that the 'audit and decision-making process' is still ongoing.

ÖVP club leader Harald Zierfuß criticized the city's handling of the situation, noting that signs of problems were present in four of the 13 providers as early as 2024. He also criticized the lack of communication with parents, as the municipal department responsible for kindergartens stated it is not responsible for informing families, leaving the burden of notification to the providers themselves.