Country Profile: Austria
Dedicated design policy status
No
Design in other policy agendas
- CCI strategy – The Creative Industries Strategy for Austria (2016–2025) champions design as a cross-sectoral enabler – linking technology, science, and urban competitiveness. It includes measures such as apprenticeships in design, internationalisation of design companies, promotion of design events (e.g. Vienna Design Week), and innovation camps introducing new methods like design thinking. [Championed]
- Circular economy strategy – This is a strong entry point. The Austrian Circular Economy Strategy embeds design comprehensively: “circular by design” as a principle; ecodesign regulations; incentives for packaging and textiles; design for reuse, repair, recycling, and social innovation; integration of circular design into curricula and vocational training; and consumer awareness measures. [Championed]
- Innovation, industrial/development, digital and architecture strategies – No strategies or references to design were identified. [Overlooked]
Observations
Austria shows a strong systemic framings of design within circular economy policy in Europe. While it lacks a standalone design strategy, design is positioned as a central lever for sustainable transitions — spanning business models, education, and consumer behaviour. The CCI strategy adds support for capacity-building and internationalisation, creating a combined emphasis on design’s economic and sustainability roles.
Sources
- Austria and the 2030 Agenda, o. J.
- The Creative Industries Strategy for Austria (2016), o. J.