Vienna repairs – The Vienna repair voucher

In order to create a further incentive in the population to give preference to repairs rather than new purchases, the City of Vienna started development of the funding programme in 2019. The Vienna City Council approved the funding programme in May 2020 with a funding amount of 1.6 million euros. The pilot phase of the project was launched on 21.9.2020, with the funding programme running until the end of 2023.

Customers can register on the website www.wienereparaturbon.gv.at and download the Vienna repair voucher. This subsidises the repair with 50% but a maximum of €100 of the gross invoice amount, whereby the subsidy amount is deducted from the invoice directly in the repair shop. Under a settlement agreement, the companies make advance payments of the respective amounts on behalf of the City of Vienna. These amounts will be refunded to the enterprises upon presentation of a copy of the invoice by the City of Vienna. Customers thus benefit immediately from the funding. There are no tedious applications for funding. It boosts the turnover of the participating repair companies as there is an increased demand for repairs.

What is the mission of the project?

Repairing rather than throwing away is one of the simplest forms of sustainable consumption. With the Vienna Repair Voucher, we motivate people to give their products a second life.

Where and when did the project start?

Vienna, Austria — 18 September, 2020

Where is the project offered today?

The Vienna repair voucher can only be redeemed in Vienna.

To whom is this project aimed? Who belongs to your target group?

Customers can register on the website www.wienereparaturbon.gv.at and download a Vienna repair voucher. Participating repairers will benefit from a higher turnover as there is an increased demand for repairs.

What do you consider to be the most innovative aspects of your offer?

Customers who wish to redeem the voucher do not need to submit a separate application. The amount of the subsidy has a direct effect on the invoice amount. Companies invoice the subsidy to the subsidy agency.

What are the most important impacts of the project in terms of sustainability?

The repair of objects represents a significant contribution to the development of a resource-efficient circular economy. Repairing avoids waste and saves raw material and energy resources. The Vienna repair network carries out an average of about 50,000 repairs per year and avoids about 600 tons of waste annually, thus saving raw materials and CO2. Each repair saves on average about 24 kg CO2 across all product categories.

Which aspects are particularly interesting from a design perspective?

The voucher supports durable products/design for longevity.

Do you also offer your service digitally?

Via our website: www.mein.wien.gv.at/wienerreparaturbon (in German).

What are some interesting numbers about the project?

Already in the pilot phase (Sept – Dec 2020) of the support programme, around 10,000 repair vouchers were downloaded within a few weeks. Over 8,000 items have already been repaired with the Vienna Repair Voucher. This has saved appx. equivalent of 190 tons of CO2!

The list of repaired devices includes mobile phones and tablets (67%). But also significantly more household appliances or bicycles have been given a second chance by the low-cost repair.

What happens next? What are your goals?

The Vienna repair voucher is an ongoing project. At the same time as it is in operation, findings from the start-up phase are being evaluated. Where necessary, adjustments will be made to make the Vienna Repair Voucher even more interesting for customers and businesses.

Furthermore, continuous talks are being held with companies that would also like to participate in the Vienna Repair Voucher. The inclusion of further repair companies will increase the range of services offered to customers and make them more attractive.

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