Hobby Lobby
About this good practice
Vienna Hobby Lobby was launched in October 2018 to offer young people an environment where they can fully develop their potential. In March 2019, we launched an initial pilot phase in which we were able to reach around 100 children. Since June 2020 the education project exists as a separate company. Our founding team was united by a shared goal: equal opportunities and educational equity, even outside of school. The founders gained educational experience at Viennese schools through the Teach for Austria leadership programme. Now, as Hobby Lobby, we are focussing on developing strengths and personal development, as well as expanding social skills and leisure activities for children and young people.
Resources needed
Due to our scaling concept it is easy for one person to open a location since we provide workshop and support during the founding phase.
Evidence of success
13 locations | 133.229 hours with kids | 10.993 places | 6.187 children | 808 free leisure course| 92 Hobbys | 449 volunteer course instructors | 151 Youth Leaders
Potential for learning or transfer
The Hobby Lobby provides children and young people (ages 10-16) from socio-economically disadvantaged families with access to informal education through free weekly leisure courses. Many children face barriers to extracurricular learning due to financial constraints, physical distance, or lack of awareness about affordable opportunities. The Hobby Lobby addresses these challenges by offering free, easily accessible courses close to home and in partnership with local schools. Teachers actively inform students within their daily environment, ensuring effective outreach.
This initiative fosters social skills, future competencies, and individual development, easing their transition into higher education or the job market. The approach of removing financial barriers and collaborating with schools makes it highly transferable, particularly to regions with similar socio-economic challenges.
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Good practice owner
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