Long before they became a foundation and a strong partner of Non-Governmental Organisations in Europe, which was only in 2003, they were a social business themselves. In 1819, some Viennese citizens founded a private association to enable access to common people to make provisions for the future and to provide a secure and independent livelihood for themselves and their families. It was run by dedicated volunteers in a poor neighbourhood. It was innovative and obviously sustainable. It was called ‘Erste oesterreichische Spar-Casse’ and was the ‘first Austrian savings bank’.