The Augustin was founded in 1995, after the style of American, British or French street newspapers. The selling of the newspaper is aimed towards those who are generally excluded from the job market for various reasons (such as the homeless, the chronically unemployed and asylum seekers). Professional social workers of the Augustin aid in their support as the primary goal of Augustin’s social work is not however prepare people for gainful employment, but simply to alleviate from incapacitating conditions.
The paper defines itself, on the one hand, as a city newspaper with lots of humorous elements,while on the other, as a forum for a radical criticism of social inequality and as a platform of the marginalized. Professional journalists and graphic designers edit the newspaper, and according to Prof. Fritz Hausjell, of the Publizistik-Institut Wien: “The Augustin is the social conscience of Vienna.”
A multitude of projects are located within the project such as, the writers workshop, theStimmengewitter Augustin Choir, the acting company 11%K-Theater, the Schwarz-Weiß Augustin football club, and many others contribute to what is now the Augustin platform. The Augustin gives those whose willingness to work is disputed, a chance to develop their hidden and undervalued talents.