Adolph Kolping (1813-1865) was a German priest and social reformer who campaigned for the social and professional interests of young craftsmen and labourers. Coming from a humble background, he recognised the difficult living conditions of many craftsmen during his years as a journeyman. In 1849, he founded the ‘Catholic Journeymen's Association’ in Cologne to offer young craftsmen a sense of community, education, and prospects for the future. His idea quickly spread and led to the creation of the international Kolping Society.

His vision was also taken up early on in Brixen: the Catholic Journeymen's Association was founded in 1857 and since then, has offered young craftsmen support and a strong community. The association was banned during the fascist era, but was re-founded after the Second World War by Canon Adolf Pertramer as the Kolpingsfamilie Brixen. Today, Kolping Brixen consists of voluntary members who organise themselves in the Kolpingsfamilie and the Verein Kolpinghaus Brixen.

Kolping Brixen is a lively and value-orientated community consisting of two associations: the Kolpingsfamilie Brixen and the Verein Kolpinghaus Brixen. Together we live and promote the philosophy of Adolph Kolping, which views people in their entirety and establishes a close connection between faith, education, and social responsibility.

Our community is actively committed to Christian charity, solidarity, and social engagement. The Kolpingsfamilie Brixen is dedicated to community and educational projects and supports people in a wide variety of life situations. Through the administration and operation of the Kolpinghaus and the Kolping canteen, the Verein Kolpinghaus Brixen helps to ensure that students and guests find a place of encounter, support, and community.

Through our work, we create a space in which values are lived, social responsibility is promoted, and people are accompanied on their journey. Kolping Brixen stands for a living community, orientation, and support in a changing world.

The Verein Kolpinghaus Brixen is responsible for the administration and operation of our facilities. These include the Kolpinghaus, a hall of residence for students, and the Kolping canteen and bar, a central social meeting point. With our dedicated team of 15 employees and numerous volunteers, we create a lively meeting place, support the community, and promote social interaction. For decades, we have offered a strong environment in which students, guests, and the local population can feel at home and can establish and maintain valuable relationships. As a non-profit organisation, we also support people in difficult life situations by giving them the opportunity to gain work experience in our company and develop new perspectives.

The Kolpingsfamilie Brixen is a lively community that is committed to family, work, and personal development in the spirit of Adolph Kolping. Our focus is on people: we promote talents, create spaces for encounters, and offer orientation in a constantly changing world.

With social projects, educational programmes, and joint activities, we make a valuable contribution to solidarity and togetherness. In addition to spiritual deepening, we organise further training, lectures, and workshops that impart knowledge and promote exchange.

Socialising is also important to us. Excursions, hikes, and trips together strengthen the community and bring people together.

Our work thrives on the commitment of our members. Anyone who wants to get actively involved and become part of an open, value-orientated community is welcome to join us at any time!

The Verein Kolpinghaus Brixen is committed to a sustainable and just society - based on Christian values, social responsibility, and practised solidarity.

What guides us:

• Sustainability - responsible use of resources and protection of the environment for future generations
• Ethical behaviour – transparency, fairness, and law-abiding behaviour are a fundamental aspect of our activity
• Appreciation – we support our employees and treat each other with respect
• Quality & further development – continuous improvement of processes, products, and services
• Responsibility – for our customers, our partners, and the local community.

Our relationships are built on trust, cooperation, and long-term relationships - with customers, employees, suppliers, and the local community.

You can find a detailed description of our values and principles in our Code of Ethics

Are you looking for a community that is committed to social values, education, and cohesion? Then, we would like to welcome you to the Kolpingsfamilie Brixen. Together we are shaping the future and are committed to a strong sense of togetherness.

Here's how you can get involved:

Get in touch – Visit us at the Kolpinghaus in Fallmerayerstraße 4 or call our chairman, Mr Joachim Kerer, at 348 1405581.

Become a member – Fill in the application form online or in paper form and become part of our community.

Support & make a difference – Your membership fee helps to support social projects and expand our commitment to the community in Brixen.

Experience community – Contribute your ideas and talents, organise social projects with us, and experience real cohesion. Together we will continue to develop the ‘Kolping vision’ and adapt it to the challenges of our time. We look forward to welcoming you - become part of our community!

Kolping Südtirol is committed to a vibrant society based on solidarity. Our aim is to bring about positive change in society from within - in line with Christian social teaching. With our 13 “Kolpingsfamilien”, five “Kolpinghäusern”, and around 1,500 members spread across all parts of the province, we are active throughout South Tyrol and are committed to helping people of all ages.

Our main focus:

• Young people – guidance and support for a successful start in life.
• Families – strengthening family togetherness through education and exchange.
• Senior citizens – community and support against loneliness.

Our self-help initiatives:

• Social interaction – creating encounters, counteracting loneliness.
• Educational projects – imparting knowledge and promoting personal development.
• Sustainable social development – taking responsibility and creating prospects.
• Development cooperation – living solidarity across borders.

Kolping in South Tyrol means cohesion, living values, and active commitment. Whether young or old, everyone is welcome here. Together we can achieve a lot!

Kolping International is a globally active Catholic social organisation founded by Adolph Kolping in 1850. Today, we are represented in 60 countries with around 400,000 members and are committed to social justice, education, and sustainable development.

In quanto forte comunità di solidarietà, siamo attivi nella Chiesa, nella società e nella politica, promuovendo lo sviluppo di una società civile più giusta e partecipata. Inoltre, rappresentiamo le istanze sociali presso le Nazioni Unite (ECOSOC) e l’Organizzazione Internazionale del Lavoro (OIL), con l’obiettivo di sostenere condizioni di lavoro eque e il rispetto dei diritti umani a livello globale.

Open to all - a strong community

The values of Adolph Kolping are our foundation, but our community is open to all people who want to stand up for solidarity and social commitment. The best way to become part of Kolping is to become a member of a local Kolping Family.

Partnership and lived solidarity

Kolping Families are democratically organised and offer their members support and guidance. Particularly important are the partnerships between Kolping organisations in Europe and the Global South, which promote sustainable development and enable cultural exchange.

This creates a unique global network that strengthens cohesion and opens up new perspectives - a true global family that actively takes responsibility.