“It is about a shift in corporate culture: one that does not see age as an obstacle, but as a valuable resource.”
Vanessa Ossinger, Head of HR, Vollpension
On intergenerational engagement with significant impact for a sustainable world – we need solidarity across generations in light of current challenges:
BUSINESSART Award for “Experienced Semesters”
As a long-standing strategic funding partner of Vollpension, it always brings me great joy when this social impact powerhouse is recognized. Since its first pop-up in 2012, Vollpension has been reducing elderly poverty and isolation through innovative employment models and projects, using the art of baking as a catalyst for intergenerational exchange and creating supplemental income opportunities.
On Monday, November 24, 2025, I had the pleasure of being in Vienna to see Vanessa Ossinger, Head of HR at Vollpension, and Alexandra Ballaun, Head of HR at Ankerbrot, accept the BUSINESSART Award for Sustainable Shapers 2025.
Intergenerational Initiative by Vollpension and Anker
The spotlight was on their initiative “Experienced Semesters”, through which they have been employing seniors at Ankerbrot since May 2025 in part-time models tailored to their individual needs:
Vollpension contributes its expertise in intergenerational management to the project. This experience was gained not only through operating two intergenerational cafes in Vienna, but also during numerous hybrid projects connected to the digital space (such as the Baking Academy). Ankerbrot provides the structures and resources for large-scale impact.
Award Ceremony in a Familiarly Personal Atmosphere
Beyond the wonderful cooperation between these companies—which foster intergenerational togetherness through their shared connection to food—and the award itself, the setting of the ceremony also provided a sense of fulfillment.
I have served on the BUSINESSART jury for many years and have seen those responsible for great impact projects up close. I always enjoy the personal touch of the award ceremony. Themed tables and stage entertainment provide an inspiring environment where one can easily engage with both familiar and new faces.
Links for the Curious:
- How Vollpension reports on the “Experienced Semesters” project.
- What Anker has to say about the partnership.
- A BUSINESSART article also covers the project: “Win-win-win for Old, Young, and Companies”.
- Here, Vanessa Ossinger from Vollpension and Alexandra Ballaun from Anker give an interview to BUSINESSART: “True Innovation Happens Where Generations Complement Each Other”
Since 2012, Vollpension has been connecting seniors with younger people, for example in their intergenerational cafes on Schleifmühlgasse and Johannesgasse in Vienna.
Ankerbrot has been baking since 1891. Since May 2025, seniors like Agnes and Maria have been working for the company as part of the “Experienced Semesters” recruiting initiative. Maria, who has already worked for Vollpension for a decade, takes on mentoring roles, for instance, while Agnes serves as a role model.
The Lebensart Publishing House, which also publishes the business magazine BUSINESSART, has been honoring sustainable innovators since 2009. Today, the “Sustainable Shapers” award is an established fixture in Austria’s CSR landscape.