ÖBM - Österreichischer Bundesverband für Mediation

What ÖBM - Österreichischer Bundesverband für Mediation does

ÖBM - Österreichischer Bundesverband für Mediation is a non-profit professional association (gemeinnütziger Verein) founded on May 6, 1995, and headquartered in Vienna, Austria. It is the largest mediation association in Austria, reaching approximately 2,000 mediators in its network, with 1,131 listed in the public mediator search portal and 96% reach of registered mediators nationwide according to the IMAS 2026 study. The organization serves two primary constituencies: (1) professional mediators, who join as members to access professional liability insurance, legal advice, continuing education, networking, self-marketing support, and lobbying representation; and (2) the general public, who use the free Mediator:innen-Suche (Mediator Search Portal) to find qualified mediators across family, neighborhood, work/business, school, social, and public-sector conflicts.

The association operates on a TYPO3 CMS-based platform that was redesigned and relaunched in October 2023, featuring a newly redesigned mediator search portal with filtering by conflict area, postal code/radius, language, qualifications, and specialization, plus an optimized event management tool. Product offerings include the mediator search portal, electronic newsletters (ÖBM-Neuigkeiten, ÖBM-Veranstaltungen, regional state group newsletters), the Veranstaltungskalender (event calendar), member services, the annual Tag der Mediation (Mediation Day) on June 18 initiated by ÖBM in 2013, peer certification in schools, and the branded ÖBM Acrylsiegel (acrylic seal).

The revenue model is fundamentally membership-based, with ordinary members paying the full annual fee, extraordinary members (mediators in training, retired, peer coaches, students) at half rate, organizational members (legal entities) at double rate, and honorary members exempt. Additional revenue streams include event participation fees (typically 90 EUR members / 180 EUR non-members for workshops, 150 EUR / 300 EUR for specialized workshops), advertising in publications, donations/subsidies/sponsorships, sales of the branded acrylic seal at 55 EUR, and cooperation revenues. There are nine state groups (Landesgruppen) across all Austrian federal states plus foreign groups (Auslandsgruppen), including a new Luxembourg/Belgium group. The organization holds an official advisory (Beirat) role at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice and is anchored in statutory regulations under ZivMediatG. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

ÖBM - Österreichischer Bundesverband für Mediation

Legal name

Österreichischer Bundesverband für Mediation

Website

https://oebm.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ÖBM is Austria's largest non-profit mediation association, serving approximately 2,000 mediators with professional development, liability insurance, networking, and a free public mediator search portal across 30 years of operation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fees collected from ordinary members, extraordinary members (reduced rate), organizational members (double rate), and honorary members (waived). Additional member contributions fund the association's operations.
2. Event participation fees: Revenue from seminar, conference, and congress participation fees. Events range from free to paid, with member and non-member pricing tiers (e.g., 90 EUR members / 180 EUR non-members for workshops).
3. Advertising and publishing revenue: Revenue from advertising placements in association-owned print and online publications.
4. Donations, subsidies, sponsorships, and project funding: Grants, donations, bequests, subsidies, project funding, and sponsorship income support the association's activities.
5. ÖBM merchandise (Acrylic Seal): Sale of the ÖBM branded acrylic seal (Acrylsiegel) to members as a promotional product, offered at discounted action prices (55 EUR).
6. Cooperation revenues: Revenues generated through cooperative arrangements with partners and affiliated organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ÖBM is Austria's largest mediation association, providing professional membership services to approximately 2,000 mediators and a free public mediator search portal. Its core offerings are membership-based services (insurance, legal advice, self-marketing support, continuing education, lobbying), an integrated event calendar and news platform, and flagship programs such as the annual Tag der Mediation and school peer-mediation certification.

Product overview

ÖBM is a professional association for mediation in Austria serving as the largest mediation association in the country with approximately 2,000 mediators and 30 years of experience. The organization operates a unified platform offering a mediator search portal, event calendar with training sessions, electronic newsletters, member services with insurance and legal support, and various programs including the annual Mediation Day and school peer certification. The offering functions as a single integrated membership-based service rather than modular products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mediator:innen-Suche (Mediator Search Portal) Free, independent public search portal allowing users to find active ÖBM mediators registered with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice, filterable by area of conflict (family, neighborhood, work/business, school, social, public sector), geographic radius, language, qualifications, and specialization.
• ÖBM Membership Services (Mitgliederservice) Tiered membership program for mediators and mediation organizations, offering self-marketing support, professional liability insurance (via Generali), legal advice, continuing education, networking, information, and lobbying representation. Four membership types: Ordinary, Extraordinary, Organizational, and Honorary.
• Veranstaltungskalender und Fortbildungen (Event Calendar and Continuing Education) Calendar of seminars, workshops, conferences, and training sessions providing certified continuing education units per §20 ZivMediatG. Events are open to members and non-members with two-tier pricing (member discount vs non-member guest rate). 230+ training units offered in 2024.
• Peer-Zertifizierung (Peer Mediation Certification for Schools) Certification program for peer mediators in schools, supporting student conflict resolution and peer mediation programs.
• Tag der Mediation (Mediation Day) Annual awareness day on June 18, organized jointly with German and Swiss mediation associations (BAFM, BM, FSM, DGM, ÖNM, VML), promoting mediation in families, businesses, neighborhoods, and beyond. Celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches 96% of registered mediators in Austria (IMAS study 2026)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional and minor.

• Bundesministerium für Justiz (Federal Ministry of Justice)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÖBM holds an official advisory (Beirat) role in the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice. The ministry's official mediator list (JustizOnline) serves as the national registry. ÖBM members can be listed in this official register. The relationship provides ÖBM with regulatory influence and legitimization.
• Bundeskanzleramt - Mediation für Trennung und ScheidungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Federal Chancellery's program for separation and divorce mediation. ÖBM collaborates with this government program to promote family mediation services and refers members to the program.
• Federation Suisse Mediation (FSM) - SwitzerlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss Federation of Mediation sends congratulatory messages for ÖBM's anniversaries and collaborates on the joint 'Mediation jetzt' campaign and the international Mediation Day (Tag der Mediation). FSM and ÖBM co-promote mediation across national borders.
• Deutscher Bundesverband Mediation e.V. (BM) - GermanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German Federal Association of Mediation. ÖBM and BM co-organize the DACH-wide 'Mediation jetzt' campaign and jointly promote the annual Tag der Mediation. BM also awards the 'Preis für Verständigung' (Understanding Prize) in which ÖBM participates.
• Wiener Magistratsabteilung 17 (MA 17)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Vienna's integration office. ÖBM cooperates with MA17 on integration-related mediation projects in Vienna.
• Stadt Graz - City of GrazregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with the City of Graz on mediation projects and public sector conflict resolution in Styria.
• European Mediation Network Initiative (EMNI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMNI is a pan-European mediation network that brings together mediation organizations across Europe. ÖBM participates in this network for international exchange and best practice sharing.
• wohnpartner - Wohnservice Wien Ges.m.b.H.regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerVienna housing service company. ÖBM cooperates with wohnpartner on the annual Mediation Congress (June 17-18, 2024) and ongoing projects related to housing and neighborhood conflicts.
• Generali Versicherung (Generali Insurance)coreOthersGenerali provides professional liability insurance (Berufshaftpflichtversicherung) to ÖBM members. The association negotiated improved insurance terms with Generali in 2024. Generali also sponsors ÖBM events (e.g., the 2024 conference 'Mediation 14-24-34').
• RAINBOWSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAINBOWS provides specialized training and support for mediators working with children and families. ÖBM collaborates with RAINBOWS on continuing education events and resources.
• FAKTory. Die Buchhandlung des ÖGB-VerlagsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBookstore of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB). FAKTory distributes ÖBM publications and mediation specialist literature.
• Die Mediation - Fachmagazin für KonfliktlösungminorOthersGerman-language specialist magazine for conflict resolution. ÖBM contributes articles and content to the publication. The magazine features ÖBM coverage and publishes articles by ÖBM members and officials.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Familienmediation (BAFM) - GermanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Federal Working Group for Family Mediation. BAFM collaborates with ÖBM on joint DACH campaigns (e.g., 'Mediation jetzt'), the annual Tag der Mediation, and cross-border family mediation initiatives. BAFM sent congratulatory messages for ÖBM's 30th anniversary.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mediation (DGM) - GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Society for Mediation. DGM participates in joint DACH mediation campaigns and sent congratulatory messages for ÖBM's 30th anniversary.
• Verein Mediation Liechtenstein (VML)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiechtenstein Mediation Association. VML sent congratulatory messages for ÖBM's 30th anniversary and collaborates on regional German-speaking mediation initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR): UK-based dispute resolution body operating across mediation, arbitration, and conflict management. Comparable in mediator training and accreditation, but significantly broader in scope and commercial orientation.
• European Mediation Network Initiative (EMNI): Pan-European mediation network that brings together national mediation associations including ÖBM. Comparable at the network level for cross-border mediator exchange and best-practice sharing, but broader and not country-specific.
• International Mediation Institute (IMI): Global mediator certification and standards body that ÖBM members could engage with. Comparable in mediator credentialing and quality standards, but operating internationally rather than at the national-association level.

Direct peers

• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Familienmediation (BAFM): German federal working group for family mediation that collaborates with ÖBM on DACH campaigns and the Tag der Mediation. Comparable in its specialized mediator credentialing and statutory mandate within Germany.
• Verein Mediation Liechtenstein (VML): Liechtenstein Mediation Association, a smaller DACH-region peer that collaborates with ÖBM on regional initiatives and Tag der Mediation. Operates a similar professional membership model at smaller scale.
• Bundesverband Mediation in der Wirtschaft (BMWI) e.V. A German industry-focused mediation association emphasizing commercial/business mediation. Comparable in offering certified training and a mediator search function, with partial overlap in target use cases (work/business segment).
• Deutscher Bundesverband Mediation (BM): The German federal mediation association and ÖBM's closest cross-border counterpart. Co-organizes Tag der Mediation and 'Mediation jetzt' with ÖBM, with overlapping membership models, ministry-level engagement, and parallel Beirat-style advisory roles.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mediation (DGM): German Society for Mediation, participating in DACH-coordinated campaigns with ÖBM. Comparable membership structure and mediator continuing-education accreditation model.
• Federation Suisse Mediation (FSM): Swiss national mediation federation and joint initiator of the Tag der Mediation with ÖBM. Operates the same membership-based model with member services, continuing education, and a public mediator locator.

Emerging players

• Mediatorin-Finden / Mediator suchen (mediation platform): German-language online mediator search portal overlapping with ÖBM's Mediator:innen-Suche. Less integrated with a membership association, but comparable in end-user search functionality and target audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@obm-osterreichischerbundes5558
• Facebookfacebook.com/oebm.mediation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C3%B6bm-%C3%B6sterreichischer-bundesverband-f%C3%BCr-mediation
• Instagraminstagram.com/oebm_bundesverbandmediation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ÖBM - Österreichischer Bundesverband für Mediation