The European Centre was established as the European Centre for Social Welfare Training and Research in 1974 in Vienna, based on an Agreement between the United Nations and the Federal Government of Austria as the Host Government. It is set up as a non-profit institution subject to the law and jurisdiction of the Host Country. Agreements signed in 1978 and 1981 between the Host Government and the United Nations have reconfirmed the European Centre as an autonomous intergovernmental organization affiliated to the United Nations. Statute amendments and an adjustment of the Centre's name to its present form were implemented in 1989.