SOS Children's Villages International advances its organizational redesign with further steps towards cost efficiencies

In view of continued political and economic pressures, as well as the need to respond responsibly to public expectations around efficiency and accountability, the organization confirms additional measures to optimize costs. This includes the difficult decision to reduce the global workforce of the General Secretariat, comprising 449 full-time employees, by approximately 30%, marking the third round of redundancies since the transformation began. In Austria, in accordance with legal requirements, SOS Children's Villages International has reported to the AMS (Public Employment Service) that up to 35 staff may be impacted. There are 153 full-time employees in Austria as of October 2025.

The new organizational structure is planned to be in place in the first quarter of 2026. This will coincide with the appointment of new leadership to lead us through to the final stages of the transformation. The structure is expected to become fully embedded over the course of next year, with final adjustments made as needed.

The member-driven transformation, which includes an extensive organizational redesign and a new operating model, will shift resources closer to the communities we serve and key areas of influence. It establishes a lean, stable core with fixed components to streamline operations, alongside flexible funding that responds to local needs, maximizing the impact of community projects while remaining aligned with members' priorities As previously announced, the redesign includes a consolidation of our global operations and the planned closure of the Innsbruck office over the next three to five years, while the organization's registered office will remain in Vienna. This change does not affect the work of SOS Kinderdorf Österreich nor the ongoing reforms to care provided to children and young people in Austria.

We are acutely aware that behind every organizational change are colleagues, teams and families who are personally affected. These decisions weigh heavily on us, and we carry a profound sense of responsibility toward everyone impacted.

"Having to let go of dedicated staff who go over and above for the children and young people in our care is a deeply difficult decision. Their contribution to our mission has been extraordinary, and we will walk alongside them through this change with empathy and respect. Our responsibility is twofold: to care for our people and to ensure we remain able to support children and young people who depend on our programmes. I remain deeply grateful for the dedication and humanity our staff bring to this mission."

Benoit Piot, CEO (Interim), SOS Children's Villages International

SOS Children's Villages International remains committed to ensuring that all redundancies are carried out respectfully, sensitively, and in full compliance with local legal requirements. The organization will continue to work closely with the staff councils and address the social challenges connected to this situation.

These steps are being taken to ensure our member associations can continue their vital work to ensure that children and youth grow up in safe, secure and caring environments. The well-being of children will always be our top priority.

About SOS Children's Villages 

SOS Children's Villages, founded in 1949, is the world's largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it.

Child neglect, abuse, and abandonment are everywhere. Families are at risk of separation. Locally led, we work in more than 130 countries and territories to strengthen families who are under pressure so they can stay together. When this is not in a child or young person's best interests, we provide quality care according to their unique needs.

Together with partners, donors, communities, children, young people, and families, we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We speak up for each child's rights and advocate for change so all children can grow up in a supportive environment.

SOS Children's Villages International is structured as a federation of national member associations, working together towards reaching the federation's strategic goals, sharing resources and expertise. Each SOS Children's Villages association is committed to applying the federation's statutes, programme standards, and stringent safeguarding, financial and administrative practices.

SOS Children's Villages International's General Secretariat, with offices in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, coordinates and manages the federation's day-to-day operations. The Secretariat provides services to member associations, develops and monitors federation quality standards, and represents the federation in international communications and forums.

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