28th Adult Education Radio Award: Making education audible

The evening was opened by Heinz Fischer, former Federal President and President of the Austrian Adult Education Association, who invited guests to use the award as an opportunity to jointly promote a culture of lifelong learning, “a culture in which media and education go hand in hand to provide guidance, enable participation, and strengthen democracy.”

In her welcoming remarks, Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, who is responsible for adult education, emphasized the role of adult education for democracy:
“We need adult education—whether in KEBÖ or on the radio—now more than ever. Democracy is inconceivable without the media, and a media world without radio is incomplete. Especially in times of disinformation and growing hostility toward science, adult education and high-quality journalism make an indispensable contribution to an informed and critical society.”

Afghan diplomat, author, and journalist Manizha Bakhtari placed particular emphasis on the importance of education and media in her acceptance speech: “Education is not a privilege—it is a necessity! Adult education and educational media empower people, give them dignity, and open doors to participation, hope, and resilience.”

From a total of over 170 productions submitted by Austrian radio stations, a jury selected those entries that stood out for their journalistic quality, social relevance, and particular value for adult education. John Evers, spokesperson for the jury and chairman of the Austrian Adult Education Conference (KEBÖ), emphasized: “The award-winning programs show how radio makes complex topics understandable, provides guidance, and empowers people to actively engage with social change.”

Die Radiopreise der Erwachsenenbildung 2025 gingen an folgende Produktionen: 

• In der Kategorie Literatur, Kultur und Kunst wurde der Ö1-Radiokolleg-Beitrag „Das Absurde“ ausgezeichnet.
• Der Eduard-Ploier-Preis* für ökonomische, demokratische und politische Bildung ging an die Ö1-Sendereihe „Es war ein kämpferisches Leben“.
• In der Kategorie Wissenschaftsvermittlung, -kommunikation, technische Bildung und Digitalisierung wurde „Einfach erklärt – der Wissenspodcast in einfacher Sprache“ (Inklusive Lehrredaktion / FM4 / Ö1 Campus Radio) prämiert.
• Der Preis in der Kategorie Nachhaltigkeit und Zukunftskompetenzen ging an „Kein Zurück: Fürs Klima ins Gefängnis“ aus der Sendereihe „Hörfeld“ von Radio Radieschen.
• In der Kategorie Menschenrechte und Gesellschaft zeichnete die Jury zwei Beiträge aus: „Im Gespräch: Francesca Albanese“ (Ö1) sowie „Netzwerk Vöcklabruck gegen Gewalt“ vom Freien Radio Salzkammergut.

The 2025 Adult Education Radio Awards went to the following productions:

• In the Literature, Culture, and Arts category, the Ö1 Radiokolleg contribution “Das Absurde” (The Absurd) was honored.
• The Eduard Ploier Prize* for economic, democratic, and political education went to the Ö1 series “Es war ein kämpferisches Leben” (It Was a Combative Life).
• In the category of science communication, technical education, and digitalization, the award went to “Einfach erklärt – der Wissenspodcast in einfacher Sprache” (Simply Explained – The Knowledge Podcast in Simple Language) (Inclusive Teaching Editorial Team / FM4 / Ö1 Campus Radio).
• The award in the category of sustainability and future skills went to “No Turning Back: Going to Prison for the Climate” from the “Hörfeld” series by Radio Radieschen.
• In the category of human rights and society, the jury honored two contributions: “In Conversation: Francesca Albanese” (Ö1) and “Netzwerk Vöcklabruck gegen Gewalt” (Vöcklabruck Network Against Violence) by Freies Radio Salzkammergut.

The award-winning productions impressively demonstrate the role that adult education and educational media play in addressing current social challenges—from democracy and human rights to the climate crisis and digitalization to inclusive knowledge transfer. They also reflect the central concerns of Austrian adult education: empowering people for social change, promoting critical thinking, and understanding education as a lifelong process – ready for change, supported by media diversity and journalistic responsibility.

The radio award has been sponsored since 1998 by ten associations of the Austrian Conference on Adult Education (KEBÖ) – the Austrian Working Group of Educational Institutions, the Austrian Vocational Training Institute, the Austrian Library Association, the Forum for Catholic Adult Education in Austria, the Austrian Rural Training Institute, the Ring of Austrian Educational Institutions, the Austrian Economic Society, the Association of Austrian Trade Union Education, the Association of Austrian Adult Education Centers, and the Economic Development Institute of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

* Austrian adult educator Eduard Ploier, who died in 1998, was director of the Schloss Puchberg educational center and, from 1974 to 1998, a member of the ORF's audience and viewer representation committee and a member of its board of trustees.

Questions & contact
Association of Austrian Adult Education Centers (VÖV)
Dr. John Evers
Phone: 069918917529
Email: john.evers@vhs.or.at
Website: https://www.vhs.or.at

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