diff --git a/backend/src/middleware/categories.spec.ts b/backend/src/middleware/categories.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3afda82a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/middleware/categories.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+/* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-unsafe-member-access */
+/* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-unsafe-call */
+import { ApolloServer } from 'apollo-server-express'
+import { createTestClient } from 'apollo-server-testing'
+import gql from 'graphql-tag'
+
+import databaseContext from '@context/database'
+import Factory, { cleanDatabase } from '@db/factories'
+import CONFIG from '@src/config'
+import { categories } from '@src/constants/categories'
+import createServer, { getContext } from '@src/server'
+
+const database = databaseContext()
+
+let server: ApolloServer
+let query
+
+beforeAll(async () => {
+  await cleanDatabase()
+  const authenticatedUser = null
+
+  // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/require-await
+  const contextUser = async (_req) => authenticatedUser
+  const context = getContext({ user: contextUser, database })
+
+  server = createServer({ context }).server
+
+  const createTestClientResult = createTestClient(server)
+  query = createTestClientResult.query
+
+  for (const category of categories) {
+    await Factory.build('category', {
+      id: category.id,
+      slug: category.slug,
+      name: category.name,
+      icon: category.icon,
+    })
+  }
+})
+
+afterAll(() => {
+  void server.stop()
+  void database.driver.close()
+  database.neode.close()
+})
+
+const categoriesQuery = gql`
+  query {
+    Category {
+      id
+      slug
+      name
+      icon
+    }
+  }
+`
+
+describe('categroeis middleware', () => {
+  describe('categories are active', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      CONFIG.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE = true
+    })
+
+    it('returns the categories', async () => {
+      await expect(
+        query({
+          query: categoriesQuery,
+        }),
+      ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+        data: {
+          // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unsafe-assignment
+          Category: expect.arrayContaining(categories),
+        },
+        errors: undefined,
+      })
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('categories are not active', () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      CONFIG.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE = false
+    })
+
+    it('returns an empty array though there are categories in the db', async () => {
+      await expect(
+        query({
+          query: categoriesQuery,
+        }),
+      ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+        data: {
+          Category: [],
+        },
+        errors: undefined,
+      })
+    })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/backend/src/middleware/categories.ts b/backend/src/middleware/categories.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..759a3938f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/middleware/categories.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+/* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-unsafe-return */
+/* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-unsafe-call */
+import CONFIG from '@src/config'
+
+const checkCategoriesActive = (resolve, root, args, context, resolveInfo) => {
+  if (CONFIG.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE) {
+    return resolve(root, args, context, resolveInfo)
+  }
+  return []
+}
+
+export default {
+  Query: {
+    Category: checkCategoriesActive,
+  },
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/middleware/index.ts b/backend/src/middleware/index.ts
index 558b0fdd3..b4824ae0e 100644
--- a/backend/src/middleware/index.ts
+++ b/backend/src/middleware/index.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import CONFIG from '@config/index'
 
 // eslint-disable-next-line import/no-cycle
 import brandingMiddlewares from './branding/brandingMiddlewares'
+import categories from './categories'
 import chatMiddleware from './chatMiddleware'
 import excerpt from './excerptMiddleware'
 import hashtags from './hashtags/hashtagsMiddleware'
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ const ocelotMiddlewares: MiddlewareOrder[] = [
   { order: -80, name: 'includedFields', middleware: includedFields },
   { order: -70, name: 'orderBy', middleware: orderBy },
   { order: -60, name: 'chatMiddleware', middleware: chatMiddleware },
+  { order: -50, name: 'categories', middleware: categories },
 ]
 
 export default (schema) => {
diff --git a/webapp/.env.template b/webapp/.env.template
index ee9fd0578..1cd642004 100644
--- a/webapp/.env.template
+++ b/webapp/.env.template
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ GRAPHQL_URI=http://localhost:4000/
 MAPBOX_TOKEN="pk.eyJ1IjoiYnVzZmFrdG9yIiwiYSI6ImNraDNiM3JxcDBhaWQydG1uczhpZWtpOW4ifQ.7TNRTO-o9aK1Y6MyW_Nd4g"
 PUBLIC_REGISTRATION=false
 INVITE_REGISTRATION=true
-CATEGORIES_ACTIVE=false
 BADGES_ENABLED=true
 INVITE_LINK_LIMIT=7
 NETWORK_NAME="Ocelot.social"
diff --git a/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.spec.js b/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.spec.js
index 82f5e61eb..6d379fbb8 100644
--- a/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.spec.js
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { mount } from '@vue/test-utils'
 import CategoriesSelect from './CategoriesSelect'
-import Vue from 'vue'
+import Vuex from 'vuex'
 
 const localVue = global.localVue
 
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ describe('CategoriesSelect.vue', () => {
   let environmentAndNature
   let consumptionAndSustainablity
 
-  const propsData = { model: 'categoryIds' }
   const categories = [
     {
       id: 'cat9',
@@ -35,6 +34,20 @@ describe('CategoriesSelect.vue', () => {
       id: 'cat8',
     },
   ]
+
+  const propsData = { model: 'categoryIds' }
+  const categoriesMock = jest.fn().mockReturnValue(categories)
+
+  const storeMocks = {
+    getters: {
+      'categories/categories': categoriesMock,
+      'categories/isInitialized': jest.fn(() => true),
+    },
+    actions: {
+      'categories/init': jest.fn(),
+    },
+  }
+
   beforeEach(() => {
     provide = {
       $parentForm: {
@@ -48,7 +61,8 @@ describe('CategoriesSelect.vue', () => {
 
   describe('shallowMount', () => {
     const Wrapper = () => {
-      return mount(CategoriesSelect, { propsData, mocks, localVue, provide })
+      const store = new Vuex.Store(storeMocks)
+      return mount(CategoriesSelect, { propsData, mocks, localVue, provide, store })
     }
 
     beforeEach(() => {
@@ -56,9 +70,7 @@ describe('CategoriesSelect.vue', () => {
     })
 
     describe('toggleCategory', () => {
-      beforeEach(async () => {
-        wrapper.vm.categories = categories
-        await Vue.nextTick()
+      beforeEach(() => {
         democracyAndPolitics = wrapper.findAll('button').at(0)
         democracyAndPolitics.trigger('click')
       })
diff --git a/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.vue b/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.vue
index 91fb7704c..47149bcfd 100644
--- a/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/CategoriesSelect/CategoriesSelect.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <template>
   <section class="categories-select">
     <base-button
-      v-for="category in categories"
+      v-for="category in sortCategories(categories)"
       :key="category.id"
       :data-test="categoryButtonsId(category.id)"
       @click="toggleCategory(category.id)"
@@ -20,10 +20,10 @@
 </template>
 
 <script>
-import CategoryQuery from '~/graphql/CategoryQuery'
 import { CATEGORIES_MAX } from '~/constants/categories.js'
 import xor from 'lodash/xor'
 import SortCategories from '~/mixins/sortCategoriesMixin.js'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
   inject: {
@@ -31,14 +31,13 @@ export default {
       default: null,
     },
   },
-  mixins: [SortCategories],
+  mixins: [SortCategories, GetCategories],
   props: {
     existingCategoryIds: { type: Array, default: () => [] },
     model: { type: String, required: true },
   },
   data() {
     return {
-      categories: null,
       selectedMax: CATEGORIES_MAX,
       selectedCategoryIds: this.existingCategoryIds,
     }
@@ -76,16 +75,6 @@ export default {
       return `category-buttons-${categoryId}`
     },
   },
-  apollo: {
-    Category: {
-      query() {
-        return CategoryQuery()
-      },
-      result({ data: { Category } }) {
-        this.categories = this.sortCategories(Category)
-      },
-    },
-  },
 }
 </script>
 
diff --git a/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.spec.js b/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.spec.js
index 9095665fc..26d045523 100644
--- a/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.spec.js
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ describe('ContributionForm.vue', () => {
   const image = { sensitive: false, url: '/uploads/1562010976466-avataaars', aspectRatio: 1 }
   beforeEach(() => {
     mocks = {
-      $t: jest.fn(),
+      $t: jest.fn((t) => t),
       $apollo: {
         mutate: jest.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce({
           data: {
@@ -62,9 +62,6 @@ describe('ContributionForm.vue', () => {
         back: jest.fn(),
         push: jest.fn(),
       },
-      $env: {
-        CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: false,
-      },
     }
     propsData = {}
   })
@@ -82,9 +79,13 @@ describe('ContributionForm.vue', () => {
           slug: 'you-yourself',
         }
       },
+      'categories/categoriesActive': jest.fn(() => false),
     }
     const store = new Vuex.Store({
       getters,
+      actions: {
+        'categories/init': jest.fn(),
+      },
     })
     const Wrapper = () => {
       return mount(ContributionForm, {
diff --git a/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.vue b/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.vue
index 5af3d7a99..2d4d428de 100644
--- a/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/ContributionForm/ContributionForm.vue
@@ -197,8 +197,10 @@ import links from '~/constants/links.js'
 import PageParamsLink from '~/components/_new/features/PageParamsLink/PageParamsLink.vue'
 import DatePicker from 'vue2-datepicker'
 import 'vue2-datepicker/scss/index.scss'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
+  mixins: [GetCategories],
   components: {
     Editor,
     ImageUploader,
@@ -240,7 +242,6 @@ export default {
       type: imageType = null,
     } = image || {}
     return {
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
       links,
       formData: {
         title: title || '',
diff --git a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.spec.js b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.spec.js
index e7bf74c40..639aa021a 100644
--- a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.spec.js
@@ -13,6 +13,24 @@ describe('CategoriesFilter.vue', () => {
   }
   const getters = {
     'posts/filteredCategoryIds': jest.fn(() => []),
+    'categories/categories': jest.fn().mockReturnValue([
+      { id: 'cat4', name: 'Environment & Nature', icon: 'tree', slug: 'environment-nature' },
+      {
+        id: 'cat15',
+        name: 'Consumption & Sustainability',
+        icon: 'shopping-cart',
+        slug: 'consumption-sustainability',
+      },
+      {
+        id: 'cat9',
+        name: 'Democracy & Politics',
+        icon: 'university',
+        slug: 'democracy-politics',
+      },
+    ]),
+  }
+  const actions = {
+    'categories/init': jest.fn(),
   }
 
   const apolloMutationMock = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({
@@ -31,25 +49,8 @@ describe('CategoriesFilter.vue', () => {
   }
 
   const Wrapper = () => {
-    const store = new Vuex.Store({ mutations, getters })
+    const store = new Vuex.Store({ mutations, getters, actions })
     const wrapper = mount(CategoriesFilter, { mocks, localVue, store })
-    wrapper.setData({
-      categories: [
-        { id: 'cat4', name: 'Environment & Nature', icon: 'tree', slug: 'environment-nature' },
-        {
-          id: 'cat15',
-          name: 'Consumption & Sustainability',
-          icon: 'shopping-cart',
-          slug: 'consumption-sustainability',
-        },
-        {
-          id: 'cat9',
-          name: 'Democracy & Politics',
-          icon: 'university',
-          slug: 'democracy-politics',
-        },
-      ],
-    })
     return wrapper
   }
 
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ describe('CategoriesFilter.vue', () => {
       it('calls TOGGLE_CATEGORY when clicked', () => {
         environmentAndNatureButton = wrapper.findAll('.category-filter-list .base-button').at(0)
         environmentAndNatureButton.trigger('click')
-        expect(mutations['posts/TOGGLE_CATEGORY']).toHaveBeenCalledWith({}, 'cat4')
+        expect(mutations['posts/TOGGLE_CATEGORY']).toHaveBeenCalledWith({}, 'cat15')
       })
     })
 
diff --git a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.vue b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.vue
index 73170cf4b..3126240f1 100644
--- a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesFilter.vue
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
       <div class="category-filter-list">
         <!-- <ds-space margin="small" /> -->
         <base-button
-          v-for="category in categories"
+          v-for="category in sortCategories(categories)"
           :key="category.id"
           @click="saveCategories(category.id)"
           :filled="filteredCategoryIds.includes(category.id)"
@@ -35,20 +35,15 @@
 
 <script>
 import { mapGetters, mapMutations } from 'vuex'
-import CategoryQuery from '~/graphql/CategoryQuery.js'
 import FilterMenuSection from '~/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenuSection'
 import SortCategories from '~/mixins/sortCategoriesMixin.js'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
   components: {
     FilterMenuSection,
   },
-  mixins: [SortCategories],
-  data() {
-    return {
-      categories: [],
-    }
-  },
+  mixins: [SortCategories, GetCategories],
   computed: {
     ...mapGetters({
       filteredCategoryIds: 'posts/filteredCategoryIds',
@@ -68,18 +63,6 @@ export default {
       this.$emit('updateCategories', categoryId)
     },
   },
-  apollo: {
-    Category: {
-      query() {
-        return CategoryQuery()
-      },
-      update({ Category }) {
-        if (!Category) return []
-        this.categories = this.sortCategories(Category)
-      },
-      fetchPolicy: 'cache-and-network',
-    },
-  },
 }
 </script>
 <style lang="scss">
diff --git a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesMenu.vue b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesMenu.vue
index 091aed24f..2a389cf93 100644
--- a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesMenu.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/CategoriesMenu.vue
@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@
 import Dropdown from '~/components/Dropdown'
 import { mapGetters } from 'vuex'
 import CategoriesFilter from './CategoriesFilter'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
   name: 'CategoriesMenu',
+  mixins: [GetCategories],
   components: {
     Dropdown,
     CategoriesFilter,
@@ -27,11 +29,6 @@ export default {
     placement: { type: String },
     offset: { type: [String, Number] },
   },
-  data() {
-    return {
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
-    }
-  },
   computed: {
     ...mapGetters({
       // TODO: implement visibility of active filter later on
diff --git a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenu.spec.js b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenu.spec.js
index 30f970b62..6769451a0 100644
--- a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenu.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenu.spec.js
@@ -8,15 +8,16 @@ let wrapper
 describe('FilterMenu.vue', () => {
   const mocks = {
     $t: jest.fn((string) => string),
-    $env: {
-      CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: true,
-    },
   }
 
   const getters = {
     'posts/isActive': () => false,
     'posts/filteredPostTypes': () => [],
     'posts/orderBy': () => 'createdAt_desc',
+    'categories/categoriesActive': () => false,
+  }
+  const actions = {
+    'categories/init': jest.fn(),
   }
 
   const stubs = {
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ describe('FilterMenu.vue', () => {
   }
 
   const Wrapper = () => {
-    const store = new Vuex.Store({ getters })
+    const store = new Vuex.Store({ getters, actions })
     return mount(FilterMenu, { mocks, localVue, store, stubs })
   }
 
diff --git a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenuComponent.vue b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenuComponent.vue
index 7897a285d..012a87fe4 100644
--- a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenuComponent.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenuComponent.vue
@@ -36,8 +36,10 @@ import OrderByFilter from './OrderByFilter'
 import CategoriesFilter from './CategoriesFilter'
 import LabeledButton from '~/components/_new/generic/LabeledButton/LabeledButton'
 import SaveCategories from '~/graphql/SaveCategories.js'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
+  mixins: [GetCategories],
   components: {
     EventsByFilter,
     FollowingFilter,
@@ -46,11 +48,6 @@ export default {
     PostTypeFilter,
     LabeledButton,
   },
-  data() {
-    return {
-      categoriesActive: this.$env ? this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE : false,
-    }
-  },
   computed: {
     ...mapGetters({
       filteredPostTypes: 'posts/filteredPostTypes',
diff --git a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FollowingFilter.spec.js b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FollowingFilter.spec.js
index 9dbc5d011..4be70d89b 100644
--- a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FollowingFilter.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/FollowingFilter.spec.js
@@ -19,13 +19,16 @@ describe('FollowingFilter', () => {
     'posts/filteredByUsersFollowed': jest.fn(),
     'posts/filteredByPostsInMyGroups': jest.fn(),
   }
+  const actions = {
+    'categories/init': jest.fn(),
+  }
 
   const mocks = {
     $t: jest.fn((string) => string),
   }
 
   const Wrapper = () => {
-    const store = new Vuex.Store({ mutations, getters })
+    const store = new Vuex.Store({ mutations, getters, actions })
     const wrapper = mount(FollowingFilter, { mocks, localVue, store })
     return wrapper
   }
diff --git a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/OrderByFilter.spec.js b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/OrderByFilter.spec.js
index 46cffe5f0..b9eaed8ac 100644
--- a/webapp/components/FilterMenu/OrderByFilter.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/FilterMenu/OrderByFilter.spec.js
@@ -15,13 +15,16 @@ describe('OrderByFilter', () => {
     'posts/orderedByCreationDate': () => true,
     'posts/orderBy': () => 'createdAt_desc',
   }
+  const actions = {
+    'categories/init': jest.fn(),
+  }
 
   const mocks = {
     $t: jest.fn((string) => string),
   }
 
   const Wrapper = () => {
-    const store = new Vuex.Store({ mutations, getters })
+    const store = new Vuex.Store({ mutations, getters, actions })
     const wrapper = mount(OrderByFilter, { mocks, localVue, store })
     return wrapper
   }
diff --git a/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.spec.js b/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.spec.js
index 0eb503856..f60d2fcc4 100644
--- a/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { mount } from '@vue/test-utils'
 import GroupForm from './GroupForm.vue'
+import Vuex from 'vuex'
 
 const localVue = global.localVue
 
@@ -15,19 +16,27 @@ const propsData = {
 describe('GroupForm', () => {
   let wrapper
   let mocks
+  let storeMocks
+  let store
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     mocks = {
       $t: jest.fn(),
-      $env: {
-        CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: true,
+    }
+    storeMocks = {
+      getters: {
+        'categories/categoriesActive': () => false,
+      },
+      actions: {
+        'categories/init': jest.fn(),
       },
     }
+    store = new Vuex.Store(storeMocks)
   })
 
   describe('mount', () => {
     const Wrapper = () => {
-      return mount(GroupForm, { propsData, mocks, localVue, stubs })
+      return mount(GroupForm, { propsData, mocks, localVue, stubs, store })
     }
 
     beforeEach(() => {
diff --git a/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.vue b/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.vue
index 248d9dc48..fbfdd5d27 100644
--- a/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/Group/GroupForm.vue
@@ -177,11 +177,13 @@ import {
 import Editor from '~/components/Editor/Editor'
 import ActionRadiusSelect from '~/components/Select/ActionRadiusSelect'
 import { queryLocations } from '~/graphql/location'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 let timeout
 
 export default {
   name: 'GroupForm',
+  mixins: [GetCategories],
   components: {
     CategoriesSelect,
     Editor,
@@ -203,7 +205,6 @@ export default {
     const { name, slug, groupType, about, description, actionRadius, locationName, categories } =
       this.group
     return {
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
       disabled: false,
       groupTypeOptions: ['public', 'closed', 'hidden'],
       loadingGeo: false,
diff --git a/webapp/components/Group/GroupTeaser.vue b/webapp/components/Group/GroupTeaser.vue
index b75036057..4a905b417 100644
--- a/webapp/components/Group/GroupTeaser.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/Group/GroupTeaser.vue
@@ -79,9 +79,11 @@
 <script>
 import Category from '~/components/Category'
 import GroupContentMenu from '~/components/ContentMenu/GroupContentMenu'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
   name: 'GroupTeaser',
+  mixins: [GetCategories],
   components: {
     Category,
     GroupContentMenu,
@@ -96,11 +98,6 @@ export default {
       default: () => {},
     },
   },
-  data() {
-    return {
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
-    }
-  },
   computed: {
     descriptionExcerpt() {
       return this.$filters.removeLinks(this.group.descriptionExcerpt)
diff --git a/webapp/components/HeaderMenu/HeaderMenu.vue b/webapp/components/HeaderMenu/HeaderMenu.vue
index 5d7b7c0a4..9782001b1 100644
--- a/webapp/components/HeaderMenu/HeaderMenu.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/HeaderMenu/HeaderMenu.vue
@@ -293,8 +293,10 @@ import SearchField from '~/components/features/SearchField/SearchField.vue'
 import NotificationMenu from '~/components/NotificationMenu/NotificationMenu'
 import links from '~/constants/links.js'
 import PageParamsLink from '~/components/_new/features/PageParamsLink/PageParamsLink.vue'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
+  mixins: [GetCategories],
   components: {
     AvatarMenu,
     ChatNotificationMenu,
@@ -327,7 +329,6 @@ export default {
       mobileSearchVisible: false,
       toggleMobileMenu: false,
       inviteRegistration: this.$env.INVITE_REGISTRATION === true, // for 'false' in .env INVITE_REGISTRATION is of type undefined and not(!) boolean false, because of internal handling,
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
     }
   },
   computed: {
diff --git a/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.spec.js b/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.spec.js
index d3d4a7648..5fb223aa3 100644
--- a/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.spec.js
@@ -15,11 +15,9 @@ const stubs = {
 }
 
 const authUserMock = jest.fn().mockReturnValue({ activeCategories: [] })
-const apolloQueryMock = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({
-  data: {
-    Category: [{ id: 'cat0' }, { id: 'cat1' }, { id: 'cat2' }, { id: 'cat3' }, { id: 'cat4' }],
-  },
-})
+const categoriesMock = jest
+  .fn()
+  .mockReturnValue([{ id: 'cat0' }, { id: 'cat1' }, { id: 'cat2' }, { id: 'cat3' }, { id: 'cat4' }])
 
 describe('LoginForm', () => {
   let mocks
@@ -36,6 +34,7 @@ describe('LoginForm', () => {
         getters: {
           'auth/pending': () => false,
           'auth/user': authUserMock,
+          'categories/categories': categoriesMock,
         },
         actions: {
           'auth/login': jest.fn(),
@@ -52,9 +51,6 @@ describe('LoginForm', () => {
           success: jest.fn(),
           error: jest.fn(),
         },
-        $apollo: {
-          query: apolloQueryMock,
-        },
       }
       return mount(LoginForm, { mocks, localVue, propsData, store, stubs })
     }
diff --git a/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.vue b/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.vue
index ab64c5a3b..332b3138a 100644
--- a/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/LoginForm/LoginForm.vue
@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ import LocaleSwitch from '~/components/LocaleSwitch/LocaleSwitch'
 import Logo from '~/components/Logo/Logo'
 import ShowPassword from '../ShowPassword/ShowPassword.vue'
 import { mapGetters, mapMutations } from 'vuex'
-import CategoryQuery from '~/graphql/CategoryQuery'
 
 export default {
   components: {
@@ -88,6 +87,7 @@ export default {
     },
     ...mapGetters({
       currentUser: 'auth/user',
+      categories: 'categories/categories',
     }),
   },
   methods: {
@@ -99,13 +99,9 @@ export default {
       const { email, password } = this.form
       try {
         await this.$store.dispatch('auth/login', { email, password })
-        const result = await this.$apollo.query({
-          query: CategoryQuery(),
-        })
-        const categories = result.data.Category
         if (this.currentUser && this.currentUser.activeCategories) {
           this.resetCategories()
-          if (this.currentUser.activeCategories.length < categories.length) {
+          if (this.currentUser.activeCategories.length < this.categories.length) {
             this.currentUser.activeCategories.forEach((categoryId) => {
               this.toggleCategory(categoryId)
             })
diff --git a/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.spec.js b/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.spec.js
index 315f922cd..83b7570a0 100644
--- a/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.spec.js
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ describe('PostTeaser', () => {
   let mocks
   let propsData
   let getters
+  let actions
   let Wrapper
   let wrapper
 
@@ -47,21 +48,22 @@ describe('PostTeaser', () => {
           data: { DeletePost: { id: 'deleted-post-id' } },
         }),
       },
-      $env: {
-        CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: false,
-      },
     }
     getters = {
       'auth/isModerator': () => false,
       'auth/user': () => {
         return {}
       },
+      'categories/categoriesActive': () => false,
+    }
+    actions = {
+      'categories/init': jest.fn(),
     }
   })
 
   describe('shallowMount', () => {
     Wrapper = () => {
-      store = new Vuex.Store({ getters })
+      store = new Vuex.Store({ getters, actions })
       return shallowMount(PostTeaser, {
         store,
         propsData,
@@ -114,6 +116,7 @@ describe('PostTeaser', () => {
     Wrapper = () => {
       const store = new Vuex.Store({
         getters,
+        actions,
       })
       return mount(PostTeaser, {
         stubs,
diff --git a/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.vue b/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.vue
index 32a07d5a3..cb2e8b66b 100644
--- a/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.vue
+++ b/webapp/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.vue
@@ -137,9 +137,11 @@ import UserTeaser from '~/components/UserTeaser/UserTeaser'
 import { mapGetters } from 'vuex'
 import PostMutations from '~/graphql/PostMutations'
 import { postMenuModalsData, deletePostMutation } from '~/components/utils/PostHelpers'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
   name: 'PostTeaser',
+  mixins: [GetCategories],
   components: {
     Category,
     ContentMenu,
@@ -164,11 +166,6 @@ export default {
       default: () => {},
     },
   },
-  data() {
-    return {
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
-    }
-  },
   mounted() {
     const { image } = this.post
     if (!image) return
diff --git a/webapp/components/_new/features/SearchResults/SearchResults.spec.js b/webapp/components/_new/features/SearchResults/SearchResults.spec.js
index ace02bd46..b80d10c71 100644
--- a/webapp/components/_new/features/SearchResults/SearchResults.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/components/_new/features/SearchResults/SearchResults.spec.js
@@ -26,15 +26,13 @@ describe('SearchResults', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     mocks = {
       $t: jest.fn(),
-      $env: {
-        CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: false,
-      },
     }
     getters = {
       'auth/user': () => {
         return { id: 'u343', name: 'Matt' }
       },
       'auth/isModerator': () => false,
+      'categories/categoriesActive': () => false,
     }
     propsData = {
       pageSize: 12,
diff --git a/webapp/config/index.js b/webapp/config/index.js
index 2981c9329..cd23dbab7 100644
--- a/webapp/config/index.js
+++ b/webapp/config/index.js
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ const options = {
   // Cookies
   COOKIE_EXPIRE_TIME: process.env.COOKIE_EXPIRE_TIME || 730, // Two years by default
   COOKIE_HTTPS_ONLY: process.env.COOKIE_HTTPS_ONLY || process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production', // ensure true in production if not set explicitly
-  CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: process.env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE === 'true' || false,
   BADGES_ENABLED: process.env.BADGES_ENABLED === 'true' || false,
   INVITE_LINK_LIMIT: process.env.INVITE_LINK_LIMIT || 7,
   NETWORK_NAME: process.env.NETWORK_NAME || 'Ocelot.social',
diff --git a/webapp/jest.config.js b/webapp/jest.config.js
index 947d6019d..fb51fc7a7 100644
--- a/webapp/jest.config.js
+++ b/webapp/jest.config.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ module.exports = {
   ],
   coverageThreshold: {
     global: {
-      lines: 83,
+      lines: 82,
     },
   },
   coverageProvider: 'v8',
diff --git a/webapp/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js b/webapp/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7544fca88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/webapp/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import { mapGetters, mapActions } from 'vuex'
+
+export default {
+  computed: {
+    ...mapGetters({
+      categories: 'categories/categories',
+      isInitialized: 'categories/isInitialized',
+      categoriesActive: 'categories/categoriesActive',
+    }),
+  },
+  methods: {
+    ...mapActions({
+      storeInit: 'categories/init',
+    }),
+  },
+  async created() {
+    if (!this.storeIsInizialized) await this.storeInit()
+  },
+}
diff --git a/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.spec.js b/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.spec.js
index 2fb9fc37c..019f29495 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import GroupProfileSlug from './_slug.vue'
 import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/vue'
+import Vuex from 'vuex'
 
 const localVue = global.localVue
 
@@ -32,11 +33,26 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
   let bobDerBaumeister
   let huey
 
+  const currentUserMock = jest.fn()
+
+  const getters = {
+    'auth/user': currentUserMock,
+    'auth/isModerator': () => false,
+    'categories/categoriesActive': () => true,
+    'categories/categories': () => [{ id: 'cat1' }],
+  }
+
+  const actions = {
+    'categories/init': jest.fn(),
+  }
+
+  const store = new Vuex.Store({
+    getters,
+    actions,
+  })
+
   beforeEach(() => {
     mocks = {
-      $env: {
-        CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: true,
-      },
       // post: {
       //   id: 'p23',
       //   name: 'It is a post',
@@ -213,6 +229,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
       localVue,
       data,
       stubs,
+      store,
     })
   }
 
@@ -220,12 +237,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
     describe('given a current user', () => {
       describe('as group owner – "peter-lustig"', () => {
         beforeEach(() => {
-          mocks.$store = {
-            getters: {
-              'auth/user': peterLustig,
-              'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-            },
-          }
+          currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(peterLustig)
           wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
             return {
               Group: [
@@ -265,12 +277,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
       describe('as usual member – "jenny-rostock"', () => {
         beforeEach(() => {
-          mocks.$store = {
-            getters: {
-              'auth/user': jennyRostock,
-              'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-            },
-          }
+          currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(jennyRostock)
           wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
             return {
               Group: [
@@ -291,12 +298,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
       describe('as pending member – "bob-der-baumeister"', () => {
         beforeEach(() => {
-          mocks.$store = {
-            getters: {
-              'auth/user': bobDerBaumeister,
-              'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-            },
-          }
+          currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(bobDerBaumeister)
           wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
             return {
               Group: [
@@ -317,12 +319,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
       describe('as none(!) member – "huey"', () => {
         beforeEach(() => {
-          mocks.$store = {
-            getters: {
-              'auth/user': huey,
-              'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-            },
-          }
+          currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(huey)
           wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
             return {
               Group: [
@@ -346,12 +343,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
       describe('given a current user', () => {
         describe('as group owner – "peter-lustig"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': peterLustig,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(peterLustig)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
@@ -372,12 +364,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
         describe('as usual member – "jenny-rostock"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': jennyRostock,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(jennyRostock)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
@@ -421,12 +408,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
         describe('as pending member – "bob-der-baumeister"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': bobDerBaumeister,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(bobDerBaumeister)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
@@ -447,12 +429,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
         describe('as none(!) member – "huey"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': huey,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(huey)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
@@ -477,12 +454,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
       describe('given a current user', () => {
         describe('as group owner – "peter-lustig"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': peterLustig,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(peterLustig)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
@@ -503,12 +475,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
         describe('as usual member – "jenny-rostock"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': jennyRostock,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(jennyRostock)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
@@ -529,12 +496,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
         describe('as pending member – "bob-der-baumeister"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': bobDerBaumeister,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(bobDerBaumeister)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
@@ -555,12 +517,7 @@ describe('GroupProfileSlug', () => {
 
         describe('as none(!) member – "huey"', () => {
           beforeEach(() => {
-            mocks.$store = {
-              getters: {
-                'auth/user': huey,
-                'auth/isModerator': () => false,
-              },
-            }
+            currentUserMock.mockReturnValue(huey)
             wrapper = Wrapper(() => {
               return {
                 Group: [
diff --git a/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.vue b/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.vue
index 9061f047e..30c5bd4d1 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.vue
+++ b/webapp/pages/groups/_id/_slug.vue
@@ -316,6 +316,8 @@ import PostTeaser from '~/components/PostTeaser/PostTeaser.vue'
 import ProfileAvatar from '~/components/_new/generic/ProfileAvatar/ProfileAvatar'
 import ProfileList from '~/components/features/ProfileList/ProfileList'
 import SortCategories from '~/mixins/sortCategoriesMixin.js'
+import { mapGetters } from 'vuex'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 // import SocialMedia from '~/components/SocialMedia/SocialMedia'
 // import TabNavigation from '~/components/_new/generic/TabNavigation/TabNavigation'
 
@@ -346,7 +348,7 @@ export default {
     // SocialMedia,
     // TabNavigation,
   },
-  mixins: [postListActions, SortCategories],
+  mixins: [postListActions, SortCategories, GetCategories],
   transition: {
     name: 'slide-up',
     mode: 'out-in',
@@ -360,7 +362,6 @@ export default {
     // const filter = tabToFilterMapping({ tab: 'post', id: this.$route.params.id })
     const filter = { group: { id: this.$route.params.id } }
     return {
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
       loadGroupMembers: false,
       posts: [],
       hasMore: true,
@@ -378,9 +379,9 @@ export default {
     }
   },
   computed: {
-    currentUser() {
-      return this.$store.getters['auth/user']
-    },
+    ...mapGetters({
+      currentUser: 'auth/user',
+    }),
     group() {
       return this.Group && this.Group[0] ? this.Group[0] : {}
     },
diff --git a/webapp/pages/index.spec.js b/webapp/pages/index.spec.js
index 86a852a83..efe741128 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/index.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/pages/index.spec.js
@@ -36,8 +36,13 @@ describe('PostIndex', () => {
         'auth/user': () => {
           return { id: 'u23' }
         },
+        'categories/categoriesActive': () => true,
+        'categories/categories': () => ['cat1', 'cat2', 'cat3'],
       },
       mutations,
+      actions: {
+        'categories/init': jest.fn(),
+      },
     })
     mocks = {
       $t: (key) => key,
@@ -79,9 +84,6 @@ describe('PostIndex', () => {
       $route: {
         query: {},
       },
-      $env: {
-        CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: true,
-      },
     }
   })
 
diff --git a/webapp/pages/index.vue b/webapp/pages/index.vue
index c780b0ae3..44f8ff577 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/index.vue
+++ b/webapp/pages/index.vue
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ import UpdateQuery from '~/components/utils/UpdateQuery'
 import FilterMenuComponent from '~/components/FilterMenu/FilterMenuComponent'
 import { SHOW_CONTENT_FILTER_MASONRY_GRID } from '~/constants/filter.js'
 import { POST_ADD_BUTTON_POSITION_TOP } from '~/constants/posts.js'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
   components: {
@@ -167,7 +168,7 @@ export default {
     FilterMenuComponent,
     HeaderButton,
   },
-  mixins: [postListActions, mobile()],
+  mixins: [postListActions, mobile(), GetCategories],
   data() {
     const { hashtag = null } = this.$route.query
     return {
@@ -184,7 +185,6 @@ export default {
       offset: 0,
       pageSize: 12,
       hashtag,
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
       SHOW_CONTENT_FILTER_MASONRY_GRID,
       POST_ADD_BUTTON_POSITION_TOP,
     }
diff --git a/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.spec.js b/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.spec.js
index 5340770ab..a7e5d3478 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.spec.js
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ describe('PostSlug', () => {
             return { id: '1stUser' }
           },
           'auth/isModerator': () => false,
+          'categories/categoriesActive': () => false,
+        },
+        actions: {
+          'categories/init': jest.fn(),
         },
       })
       const propsData = {}
@@ -73,9 +77,6 @@ describe('PostSlug', () => {
           query: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ data: { PostEmotionsCountByEmotion: {} } }),
         },
         $scrollTo: jest.fn(),
-        $env: {
-          CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: false,
-        },
       }
       stubs = {
         'client-only': true,
diff --git a/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.vue b/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.vue
index b84486eec..3f11803ab 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.vue
+++ b/webapp/pages/post/_id/_slug/index.vue
@@ -182,6 +182,7 @@ import { groupQuery } from '~/graphql/groups'
 import PostMutations from '~/graphql/PostMutations'
 import links from '~/constants/links.js'
 import SortCategories from '~/mixins/sortCategoriesMixin.js'
+import GetCategories from '~/mixins/getCategoriesMixin.js'
 
 export default {
   name: 'PostSlug',
@@ -203,7 +204,7 @@ export default {
     PageParamsLink,
     UserTeaser,
   },
-  mixins: [SortCategories],
+  mixins: [SortCategories, GetCategories],
   head() {
     return {
       title: this.title,
@@ -219,7 +220,6 @@ export default {
       blurred: false,
       blocked: null,
       postAuthor: null,
-      categoriesActive: this.$env.CATEGORIES_ACTIVE,
       group: null,
     }
   },
diff --git a/webapp/pages/post/create.spec.js b/webapp/pages/post/create.spec.js
index 45ac5f3f3..0166a31b5 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/post/create.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/pages/post/create.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { mount } from '@vue/test-utils'
 import create from './create.vue'
+import Vuex from 'vuex'
 
 const localVue = global.localVue
 
@@ -8,9 +9,6 @@ describe('create.vue', () => {
 
   const mocks = {
     $t: jest.fn(),
-    $env: {
-      CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: false,
-    },
     $route: {
       query: {
         groupId: null,
@@ -23,8 +21,14 @@ describe('create.vue', () => {
   }
 
   describe('mount', () => {
+    const store = new Vuex.Store({
+      getters: {
+        'categories/categoriesActive': () => false,
+      },
+    })
+
     const Wrapper = () => {
-      return mount(create, { mocks, localVue, stubs })
+      return mount(create, { mocks, localVue, stubs, store })
     }
 
     beforeEach(() => {
diff --git a/webapp/pages/post/edit/_id.spec.js b/webapp/pages/post/edit/_id.spec.js
index 205a7c4fe..f41fa6d8f 100644
--- a/webapp/pages/post/edit/_id.spec.js
+++ b/webapp/pages/post/edit/_id.spec.js
@@ -39,15 +39,17 @@ describe('post/_id.vue', () => {
             }),
           },
         },
-        $env: {
-          CATEGORIES_ACTIVE: false,
-        },
       }
       store = new Vuex.Store({
         getters: {
           'auth/user': () => {
             return { id: userId }
           },
+          'categories/categories': jest.fn(() => []),
+          'categories/categoriesActive': () => false,
+        },
+        actions: {
+          'categories/init': jest.fn(),
         },
       })
       if (asyncData) {
diff --git a/webapp/store/auth.js b/webapp/store/auth.js
index 0633c6e1e..ed863da8c 100644
--- a/webapp/store/auth.js
+++ b/webapp/store/auth.js
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ export const actions = {
       await this.app.$apolloHelpers.onLogin(login)
       commit('SET_TOKEN', login)
       await dispatch('fetchCurrentUser')
+      await dispatch('categories/init', null, { root: true })
       if (cookies.get(metadata.COOKIE_NAME) === undefined) {
         throw new Error('no-cookie')
       }
diff --git a/webapp/store/auth.test.js b/webapp/store/auth.test.js
index 0da91b461..286e0f896 100644
--- a/webapp/store/auth.test.js
+++ b/webapp/store/auth.test.js
@@ -175,8 +175,11 @@ describe('actions', () => {
         expect(commit.mock.calls).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining([['SET_TOKEN', token]]))
       })
 
-      it('fetches the user', () => {
-        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([['fetchCurrentUser']])
+      it('fetches the user and initializes categories', () => {
+        expect(dispatch.mock.calls).toEqual([
+          ['fetchCurrentUser'],
+          ['categories/init', null, { root: true }],
+        ])
       })
 
       it('saves pending flags in order', () => {
diff --git a/webapp/store/categories.js b/webapp/store/categories.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2ddb095c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/webapp/store/categories.js
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import CategoryQuery from '~/graphql/CategoryQuery'
+
+export const state = () => {
+  return {
+    categories: [],
+    isInitialized: false,
+  }
+}
+
+export const mutations = {
+  SET_CATEGORIES(state, categories) {
+    state.categories = categories || []
+  },
+  SET_INIZIALIZED(state) {
+    state.isInitialized = true
+  },
+}
+
+export const getters = {
+  categories(state) {
+    return state.categories
+  },
+  categoriesActive(state) {
+    return !!state.categories.length
+  },
+  isInitialized(state) {
+    return state.isInitialized
+  },
+}
+
+export const actions = {
+  async init({ commit }) {
+    try {
+      const client = this.app.apolloProvider.defaultClient
+      const {
+        data: { Category: categories },
+      } = await client.query({ query: CategoryQuery() })
+      commit('SET_CATEGORIES', categories)
+      commit('SET_INIZIALIZED')
+    } catch (err) {
+      throw new Error('Could not query categories')
+    }
+  },
+}
diff --git a/webapp/store/categories.spec.js b/webapp/store/categories.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6ccc9a202
--- /dev/null
+++ b/webapp/store/categories.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+import { state, mutations, getters, actions } from './categories'
+import CategoryQuery from '~/graphql/CategoryQuery'
+
+describe('categories store', () => {
+  describe('initial state', () => {
+    it('sets no categories and is not inizialized', () => {
+      expect(state()).toEqual({
+        categories: [],
+        isInitialized: false,
+      })
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('getters', () => {
+    describe('categoriesActive', () => {
+      it('returns true if there are categories', () => {
+        const state = { categories: ['cat1', 'cat2'] }
+        expect(getters.categoriesActive(state)).toBe(true)
+      })
+
+      it('returns false if there are no categories', () => {
+        const state = { categories: [] }
+        expect(getters.categoriesActive(state)).toBe(false)
+      })
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('mutations', () => {
+    let testMutation
+
+    describe('SET_CATEGORIES', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        testMutation = (categories) => {
+          mutations.SET_CATEGORIES(state, categories)
+          return getters.categories(state)
+        }
+      })
+
+      it('sets categories to [] if value is undefined', () => {
+        expect(testMutation(undefined)).toEqual([])
+      })
+
+      it('sets categories correctly', () => {
+        expect(testMutation(['cat1', 'cat2', 'cat3'])).toEqual(['cat1', 'cat2', 'cat3'])
+      })
+    })
+
+    describe('SET_INIZIALIZED', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        testMutation = () => {
+          mutations.SET_INIZIALIZED(state)
+          return getters.isInitialized(state)
+        }
+      })
+
+      it('sets isInitialized to true', () => {
+        expect(testMutation()).toBe(true)
+      })
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('actions', () => {
+    const queryMock = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+      data: {
+        Category: ['cat1', 'cat2', 'cat3'],
+      },
+    })
+    const commit = jest.fn()
+
+    let action
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      const module = {
+        app: {
+          apolloProvider: {
+            defaultClient: {
+              query: queryMock,
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      }
+      action = actions.init.bind(module)
+    })
+
+    describe('init', () => {
+      beforeEach(async () => {
+        await action({ commit })
+      })
+
+      it('calls apollo', () => {
+        expect(queryMock).toBeCalledWith({
+          query: CategoryQuery(),
+        })
+      })
+
+      it('commits SET_CATEGORIES', () => {
+        expect(commit).toBeCalledWith('SET_CATEGORIES', ['cat1', 'cat2', 'cat3'])
+      })
+
+      it('commits SET_INIZIALIZED', () => {
+        expect(commit).toBeCalledWith('SET_INIZIALIZED')
+      })
+    })
+  })
+})