ajour - Arbeit für JournalistInnen GmbH

AJOUR - Arbeit für JournalistInnen GmbH is an Austrian organisation dedicated to supporting journalists who are unemployed, at risk of losing their jobs, or actively looking for work. It operates as a contact point and coaching programme, sponsored by the AMS Vienna (the Vienna branch of Austria's Public Employment Service). The organisation is structured as a GmbH (a limited liability company) and is owned by an owners' association (AJOUR-Eigentümerverein), whose chair is Daniela Kraus. Its managing director is Lydia Ninz. AJOUR's core service is a structured coaching and support programme for journalists. According to its website, the programme has been running for nine years with a clear goal: to help unemployed journalists return to earning a living within a short period through professional coaching. The programme includes an initial consultation (Erstgespräch), a support programme (Betreuungsprogramm), advisors (Beraterinnen & Berater), and information days (Infotage). With nearly 116 participants, AJOUR reports being fully booked, and additional coaching places approved since February 2026 are already taken. A notable trend observed by AJOUR is that more and more journalists must completely reinvent themselves professionally to return to earning, and motivation to learn new digital tools — especially AI — has grown rapidly. AJOUR is recognised by public figures in Austria. In March 2026, Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer visited AJOUR to learn about its work and successes, and AMS CEO Johannes Kopf also visited to inform himself about the latest developments. The organisation is positioned as a success concept against unemployment in journalism, offering professional coaching and reintegration support within a defined timeframe. As a non-profit-oriented entity, AJOUR does not sell commercial products; its "offerings" are its coaching programmes, advisory services, and information events for journalists. It operates primarily in Austria, with its activities centred on Vienna and its sponsorship relationship with AMS Vienna. The organisation is active and continues to expand its coaching capacity.

AJOUR - Arbeit für JournalistInnen GmbH is an Austrian organisation that has been operating for nine years, according to its website. It was established as a contact point for journalists who are unemployed, threatened with unemployment, or looking for work, and is sponsored by AMS Vienna. The organisation is structured as a GmbH and is owned by an owners' association (AJOUR-Eigentümerverein), with Daniela Kraus serving as its chair. Lydia Ninz is the managing director. Over its nine years of operation, AJOUR has developed a coaching and support programme aimed at helping unemployed journalists return to earning a living within a short period. The programme includes an initial consultation, a support programme, advisors, and information days. By 2026, AJOUR reported being fully booked with nearly 116 participants, and additional coaching places approved since February 2026 were already taken. A notable trend observed by managing director Lydia Ninz is that more and more journalists must completely reinvent themselves professionally to return to earning, and motivation to learn new digital tools — especially AI — has grown rapidly. AJOUR has received visits from public figures, including AMS CEO Johannes Kopf and Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer in March 2026, who came to learn about its work and successes. The organisation is positioned as a success concept against unemployment in journalism.

• 2026

  Additional coaching places approved since February 2026 are already taken.

• 2026

  Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer visits AJOUR on 23 March 2026.

• AJOUR founded as a contact point for unemployed journalists, sponsored by AMS Vienna.

• AMS CEO Johannes Kopf visits AJOUR to learn about latest developments.

A non-profit contact point and coaching programme sponsored by AMS Vienna, positioned as a success concept against unemployment in journalism.

• Coaching programme for unemployed journalists

  A structured programme to help unemployed journalists return to earning within a short period.

• Initial consultation (Erstgespräch)

  First meeting for new participants.

• Support programme (Betreuungsprogramm)

  Ongoing support for participants.

• Information days (Infotage)

  Events providing information to journalists.

1. 1AJOUR - Wer sind wir ?ajour.or.at
2. 2ajour - Arbeit für JournalistInnen GmbHwikidata.org