BhW Niederösterreich

What BhW Niederösterreich does

BhW Niederösterreich GmbH is a non-profit adult education institution (gemeinnützige GmbH) headquartered in St. Pölten, Lower Austria, operating since 1946 and structured as a 12-employee delivery vehicle for community education across the province. It is 51% owned by KULTUR.REGION.NIEDERÖSTERREICH GmbH and 49% by the BhW Verein (Verein Bildungs- und Heimatwerk Niederösterreich), whose volunteer-run Bildungswerken provide community-embedded delivery infrastructure. The organization delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs: free Basisbildung courses (reading, writing, mathematics, digital skills, basic English) for ~400 participants per year at seven Schulungsstandorte across Lower Austria; free, IBOBB-certified Bildungs- und Berufsberatung (educational and career counseling) via in-person, video, and open drop-in channels; the Zeit Punkt Lesen reading culture competence center (operating since 2007); and the BhW barrierefrei competence center providing accessibility consulting to Lower Austrian municipalities. Digital tools include the Virtueller Beratungsraum (an interactive 3D counseling environment) and the CARE.KOMP nursing-career assessment (co-developed with MAG Menschen und Arbeit GmbH).

Name

BhW Niederösterreich

Legal name

BhW Niederösterreich GmbH

Website

https://bhw-n.eu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BhW Niederösterreich GmbH is a non-profit adult education institution in St. Pölten delivering free basic education, career counseling, reading culture programs, and municipal accessibility consulting across Lower Austria, publicly funded by ESF, BMBWF, Land NÖ, and Arbeiterkammer NÖ.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAH

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPADAKAI

Inclusive Education (Disability, Gender Equity, Marginalized Learners)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Education & Skills Development Programs

SECONDARYEDAGAKAJ

Accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Content Services

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Instructional Design & Content Development Services

Keywords

• Adult basic education
• Career counseling
• Reading culture promotion
• Accessibility consulting
• Community education

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Pölten

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Grants: BhW Niederösterreich operates as a non-profit organization primarily funded through public grants. Core educational services (basisbildung, Bildungsberatung) are free for participants, funded by the European Social Fund, Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research, the State of Lower Austria, and the Lower Austria Chamber of Labour.
2. Fee-based Veranstaltungen (Educational Events): Some educational events and workshops are offered for a participation fee. Terms and conditions specify registration requirements, payment obligations, and cancellation policies. Fees are generally modest and collected in cash at some events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BhW Niederösterreich GmbH is a non-profit adult education institution that provides free basic education courses (reading, writing, mathematics, digital skills, English basics), free educational and career counseling, reading culture promotion programs under the Zeit Punkt Lesen brand, and accessibility/barrier-free consulting for municipalities across Lower Austria. Services are primarily funded through public grants from the European Social Fund, the Federal Ministry, the State of Lower Austria, and the Lower Austria Chamber of Labour.

Product overview

BhW Niederösterreich is a community-oriented adult education institution offering a portfolio of interconnected educational services. Core offerings include free Basisbildung (basic education) courses for adults, Bildungs- und Berufsberatung (educational and career counseling), and the Zeit Punkt Lesen reading culture competence center. The organization also operates BhW barrierefrei as an accessibility competence center for municipalities, distributes the Kulturpass for cultural access, and runs programs like Bildungsgemeinden and volunteer support. Digital offerings include the Virtueller Beratungsraum (virtual counseling room) and various webinars. Key publications and products include the dialect memory game 'Gösn, Goaß und Gugaschecken' and BhW Wissens.Tour educational events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zeit Punkt Lesen: A literacy competence center established in 2007 by the state of Lower Austria, focused on promoting reading culture and reading, media, and information literacy.
• BhW barrierefrei
• BhW Basisbildung
• BhW Bildungs- und Berufsberatung

Products and services

• Basisbildung (Basic Education) Free basic education courses for adults covering reading, writing, everyday mathematics, digital skills, and English as a foreign language. Conducted in small groups of up to 7 participants with individual learning goals at locations across Lower Austria including Krems, Lilienfeld, Michelhausen, Pöchlarn, Rogatsboden, St. Pölten, and Wieselburg.
• Bildungs- und Berufsberatung (Educational and Career Counseling) Free, provider-neutral educational and career counseling for adults in Lower Austria aged 15+. Services include in-person counseling, video counseling, open drop-in counseling rooms, and online counseling covering career orientation, training opportunities, educational funding, and professional reorientation. Certified with IBOBB quality seal.
• BhW barrierefrei (Accessibility Consulting) Competence center providing accessibility, inclusion, Design for All, and digital accessibility consulting to Lower Austrian municipalities. Services include municipal walk-throughs (Gemeindebegehung), building audits, planning advice, digital accessibility workshops, and free brochures. Package priced at €900 (excl. VAT) with 50% subsidy from Land NÖ for first 15 bookings annually.
• Zeit Punkt Lesen (Reading Culture Competence Center) Reading culture and literacy competence center established in 2007, promoting reading and media literacy for all ages under the motto 'Lesen ist mehr' (Reading is more). Operates two pillars: Fördern & Vermitteln (Promotion and Mediation) and Forschen & Weiterbilden (Research and Continuing Education). Includes programs such as auserlesen author readings, LESEnachtFEST reading night packages, and LesePicknick outdoor reading events.
• Kulturpass Distribution Service Distribution point for the 'Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur' culture pass, enabling free admission to museums, theaters, and festivals for people with low income, social assistance recipients, refugees, and asylum seekers. Distributed at the open Beratungsraum in St. Pölten.
• Virtueller Beratungsraum (Virtual Counseling Room) Interactive 3D virtual counseling environment on the website where users navigate a virtual space by clicking points to learn about counseling topics including funding, further education, retraining, certifications, and Bildungskarenz. Also supports video-based counseling sessions.
• Bildungsgemeinden (Education Municipalities Program) Program supporting Lower Austrian municipalities in developing educational offerings and community education, with special focus on education councilors. Helps municipalities build sustainable community education ecosystems.
• Support Ehrenamt (Volunteer Support Service) Support services for educational volunteers in Lower Austria, providing resources, networking, and training opportunities for volunteer educators working in community Bildungswerken.
• CARE.KOMP Online Tool Online career assessment tool developed in cooperation with MAG Menschen und Arbeit GmbH to help individuals decide whether a nursing/care profession is right for them. Includes a base assessment and decision support module covering Pflegeassistenz, Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege, and other care careers.
• Sprache verbindet – Deutsch für Eltern (Language Connects – German for Parents) Pilot project launched at Grillparzer Volksschule in St. Pölten. A new German language course for parents at Lower Austrian elementary schools, designed to strengthen parent-school engagement through language training.
• Gösn, Goaß und Gugaschecken (Dialect Memory Game) A dialect memory card game bridging regional Lower Austrian dialect and standard German language, created by Zeit Punkt Lesen, illustrated by Judith Auer, promoting playful language engagement across generations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of Bildungsberatung clients fully or partially implemented the action steps developed during their counseling sessions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BhW Verein (Verein Bildungs- und Heimatwerk Niederösterreich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BhW Verein (49% shareholder) operates volunteer-run community Bildungswerken (education centers) across Lower Austria. BhW GmbH works in close collaboration with these volunteer organizations to improve educational and learning culture in NÖ communities. The Verein owns 49% of BhW GmbH shares.
• KULTUR.REGION.NIEDERÖSTERREICH GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company holding 51% of BhW GmbH shares. Part of a non-profit group including Volkskultur Niederösterreich GmbH, Musikschulmanagement NÖ GmbH, NÖ Kreativ GmbH, Weinviertler Museumsdorf Niedersulz GmbH, and Museumsmanagement NÖ GmbH. Shares a data protection officer with BhW.
• MAG Menschen und Arbeit GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the NÖ Bildungsberatung network. Cooperated with BhW to develop the CARE.KOMP online tool for career assessment in nursing/care professions.
• Bildungsberatung Niederösterreich Network (8 Organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of eight adult education organizations providing Bildungs- und Berufsberatung across Lower Austria: BhW NÖ GmbH, MAG Menschen und Arbeit GmbH, Arbeiterkammer NÖ, Verband der NÖ Volkshochschulen, Verein Transjob, Jugendservice Ybbstal, Diakonie Flüchtlingsdienst - BACH, and abz austria.
• Land Niederösterreich (Provincial Government)coreOthersPrimary public funder of BhW services including Basisbildung, Bildungsberatung, and barrierefrei municipality consulting. Provides 50% subsidy for municipal Gemeindebegehung services. Landesrat Ludwig Schleritzko is the official responsible for adult education.
• Europäischer Sozialfonds (ESF / European Social Fund)coreOthersPrimary funder of Basisbildung and Bildungsberatung services, enabling free participation for all clients. Co-funded with Federal Ministry, Land NÖ, and Arbeiterkammer NÖ.
• Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung (BMBWF)coreOthersFederal ministry co-funder of Basisbildung and Bildungsberatung services alongside ESF, Land NÖ, and Arbeiterkammer NÖ.
• Arbeiterkammer NiederösterreichcoreOthersLower Austria Chamber of Labour co-funder of Bildungsberatung services alongside ESF, BMBWF, and Land NÖ.
• Caritas (Caritas St. Pölten)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCaritas coordinates the Kulturpass initiative in Lower Austria. BhW is an issuing point for the Kulturpass, which provides free cultural access for people living below the poverty line.
• Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur (Culture Pass Partner Institutions)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of cultural institutions (museums, theaters, festivals) offering free entry to Kulturpass holders. Includes Haus der Regionen Krems, Musik-Sommer Grafenegg, Allegro Vivo Horn, Donaufestival, Kino im Kesselhaus Krems, and Arnulf-Rainer-Museum.
• Österreichisches Institut für Berufsbildungsforschung (öibf)coreOthersConducts IBOBB certification reviews and studies on the effectiveness of Bildungsberatung. öibf study (2019) by Mayer, Schmidtke, and Schlögel demonstrated that 83% of Beratung clients implemented action steps from counseling.
• Traditionsbäckerei Hager and Café EmmiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal businesses supporting BhW events such as the International Literacy Day info points by sponsoring refreshments (pastries, coffee) for attendees.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Niederösterreich: Large Catholic welfare organization that coordinates the Kulturpass and operates adult education, training, and social services in Lower Austria. Broader portfolio than BhW but overlapping on literacy, social services, and cultural-access programs.

Direct peers

• Verein Transjob: Direct member of the Bildungsberatung NÖ eight-organization network delivering Bildungsberatung and labor-market integration in Lower Austria. Closely comparable mission and funding model.
• Diakonie Flüchtlingsdienst Niederösterreich (BACH): Refugee services arm of Diakonie that delivers adult education, German language training, and Bildungsberatung in Lower Austria. Part of the same Bildungsberatung NÖ network and a peer on integration-oriented adult-learning programs.
• MAG Menschen und Arbeit GmbH: Lower Austria–based labor-market and adult-education co-developer of BhW's CARE.KOMP career-assessment tool and a peer within the Bildungsberatung NÖ eight-organization network, focusing on employment-oriented Bildungsberatung.
• abz*austria: Competence center for disadvantaged adult learners with focus on basic education, German as a second language, and labor-market integration. Partner in BhW's Bildungsberatung NÖ network and serves a substantially overlapping target population.
• WIFI Niederösterreich (Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut): Chamber-of-Commerce-affiliated adult education institution offering career and business training throughout Lower Austria. Overlaps with BhW on Berufsorientierung and re-entry counseling for adult learners.
• BFI Niederösterreich (Berufsförderungsinstitut): Austrian vocational adult-education provider delivering training, retraining, and Bildungsberatung across Lower Austria. Competes directly for public-funded adult-learner mandates and Bezirk-wide course delivery.
• Verband der Niederösterreichischen Volkshochschulen (VHS NÖ): Umbrella of Lower Austria's Volkshochschulen and a fellow member of the 8-organization Bildungsberatung NÖ network. Delivers general adult education, language courses, and Bildungsberatung in the same geographic market with overlapping funder relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bhwnoe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bhwnoe
• Instagraminstagram.com/bhwnoe

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BhW Niederösterreich