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.