Südwind Agentur bases its work on the principles* of the non-partisan, nondenominational ÖIE - Österreichischer Informationsdienst für Entwicklungspolitik (Austrian Information Service for International Development Policy) that was founded in 1979 and renamed Bundesverein Südwind Entwicklungspolitik in 1997. Südwind Agentur was founded in 1997 as a non-profit NGO engaged in PR, information and educational work in the field of international development. Südwind is financed through national and international public funds and private contributions, as well as through the workshops and exhibitions that the organization regularly conducts.