Central Association of Slovene Organisations in Carinthia (ZSO)

Zveza slovenskih organizacij na Koroškem (ZSO)

The Central Association of Slovene Organisations in Carinthia (ZSO) is an umbrella organisation that represents the interests of the Slovene ethnic group in accordance with its statutes. It coordinates the activities of the currently seven member organisations: Slovenian Cultural Association, Slovenian School Association, Association of Carinthian Partisans, Association of Resettled Slovenes, Association of Slovenian Women and Slovenian Alpine Association.

The ZSO represents the interests of the Slovenian ethnic group at provincial and federal level as well as with international organisations and the Republic of Slovenia. The aim of the organisation is to preserve the Slovene culture and language in Carinthia, Austria and to promote the active associational life of the Carinthian Slovenes. The ZSO is mainly concerned with the expansion and improvement of the situation regarding bilingual elementary education and pre-school educational institutions, as well as ensuring and maintaining bilingual jurisdiction in Carinthia. In addition, the ZSO offers counselling to members of the Slovene ethnic group in all matters relevant to the ethnic group as well as in social law issues (e.g. victim support). In recent years, the ZSO has developed a policy of dialogue and cooperation in Carinthia and across the borders with Slovenia and Italy.

Once a year, the ZSO awards the Vinzenz Rizzi Prize to persons or institutions who have worked to promote good coexistence in Carinthia, as well as the Petek Awards to persons for their services to the Slovene ethnic group in Carinthia. The information magazine FORUM ZSO is published quarterly and reports on the ZSO’s positions, activities and events.

The ZSO sees itself as a non-partisan organisation. The members of the ZSO committees and the suborganisation are active in various parties, including the SPÖ - Social Democratic Party of Austria, the Greens and the EL - Einheitsliste/enotna lista. As an umbrella organisation, the ZSO refrains from making partypolitical comments and election appeals and only calls for support for progressive forces that are open to the concerns of the Slovenian ethnic group in Austria.

The ZSO is a member of FUEN since 2024.