Austrian government subsidises E-Sport with 450,000 euros
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The Austrian federal government has launched substantial financial support for E-Sport. 450,000 euros are available for 2024, with the aim of strengthening E-Sport and promoting general digital skills and inclusion.
The Austrian government has launched a programme to boost E-Sport. State Secretary for Digitalisation Florian Tursky presented corresponding funding initiatives for the creation and advancement of E-Sport offerings related to digital skills, digital infrastructure and the removal of barriers. The funding is being handled by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Funding totalling 450,000 euros is available for 2024. Projects from E-Sport clubs based in Austria are to be supported. "The eligible costs include material and material costs as well as third-party costs, whereby the total costs of a project may not exceed 20,000 euros. (...) The funding will be granted as a non-repayable subsidy and paid out ex-post following a positive review of a final report," reads the announcement.
"E-Sport is not only a fascinating leisure activity, but also a platform that promotes a wide range of skills that are becoming increasingly important in the digital world. With this funding, we not only want to promote E-Sport in Austria, but also lay the foundation for the development of digital skills and innovative thinking," said State Secretary for Digitalisation Florian Tursky.
E-Sport is not recognised as an official sport in Austria, just like in Germany. In the summer of 2023, the Austrian federal government assigned responsibility for E-Sport matters to the State Secretariat for Digitalisation as part of the Digital Austria Act. Tursky also emphasises the economic importance. "We want to support Austrian E-Sport clubs in the creation and further development of offerings in order to not only promote talent, but also utilise economic opportunities. Through targeted support measures, we want to promote professionalisation and break down barriers to broad participation."
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