Around 300 representatives of the Austrian Raiffeisen organisation gathered in Vienna to discuss innovation, social cohesion and regional development. IRU Secretary General Andreas Kappes joined the event and exchanged views with cooperative representatives from several European countries.
On 26 June 2026, the Austrian Raiffeisen Association (ÖRV) welcomed around 300 senior representatives from all sectors and federal states of the Austrian Raiffeisen organisation to Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna. Held every two years, Raiffeisen Day provides an important forum for discussing current developments and the future of the Raiffeisen movement.
Under the theme “The Future Needs Young Ideas”, this year’s event focused on the role of young people, personal initiative and innovation in building a future-ready society. Practical examples from across the Austrian Raiffeisen organisation illustrated how young people can contribute fresh perspectives and help shape the future of cooperatives and their regions.
The event was attended by prominent representatives from politics and the cooperative sector, including Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer.
IRU Secretary General Andreas Kappes joined the event. The Raiffeisen Day offered him the opportunity for personal exchange with representatives of Raiffeisen organisations from Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. The discussions highlighted the value of international networks in sharing experience, identifying common challenges and developing new ideas together.
For the IRU, the theme of the event carried particular relevance. Raiffeisen combines a strong tradition with the responsibility to remain open to innovation and new generations. Young people bring new knowledge, expectations and perspectives to cooperative organisations. Creating opportunities for their active involvement is therefore essential for keeping the cooperative idea strong and relevant.
The event also marked an important leadership transition within the Austrian Raiffeisen Association. Erwin Tinhof, who had been elected as the new President of the ÖRV by its General Assembly the previous day, formally succeeded Erwin Hameseder. The IRU warmly congratulates Erwin Tinhof and wishes him every success in his new role.
After four years as President, Erwin Hameseder did not stand for re-election. In recognition of his outstanding service, he received the Gold Raiffeisen Honorary Badge with Diamonds, the highest distinction awarded by the ÖRV. The IRU also thanks him for his longstanding international commitment. For many years, he represented the Austrian Raiffeisen Association on the IRU Presidium and contributed to the close relationship between the two organisations.
As a longstanding member of the IRU, the Austrian Raiffeisen Association plays an important role in the international Raiffeisen network. Its active involvement strengthens the exchange between cooperative organisations across national borders and helps translate Raiffeisen’s principles into responses to current challenges.
The IRU thanks ÖRV Secretary General Johannes Rehulka and his team for the invitation and the excellent organisation.
The Raiffeisen Day 2026 demonstrated once again that the future of the cooperative idea depends on combining experience with new perspectives – and on giving young people the opportunity to contribute their ideas.
