The Crown Prince and Crown Princess’ Foundation

Some lack social contact and adults to rely on. Others lack the essential motivation and drop out of school. Many youngsters fall on the outside because they don’t have a sense of belonging. It  is not necessarily about the need for someone to hang out with, but about finding kindred spirits. The feeling of being noticed is important for daring to be visible. Young people need – like everyone else – to be seen, to be recognized for their resources and to experience being part of something. Young people should get the support required to identify what they are good at, define a dream for the future and build their own life.

The Foundations declares:
We want a Norway consisting of people who are confident that they are good enough as they are – people with the courage to lift up others, because they once experienced to be seen themselves. Youth is the most important resource we have. We need their courage, creativity and hope for the future, in order to solve the large and complex challenges the world is facing. Our task is to facilitate so that each young individual can learn and build on their potential.

Collaboration with selected initiatives

The Foundation contributes towards selected projects, with an ambition to provide youngsters with new arenas to succeed in. By providing a sense of belonging, these initiatives bring forward the dreams, talents and sparkle in each individual. The Foundation is an active and long-term partner. Through collaboration with dedicated partners, the goal is to support the initiatives.

The Foundation contributes so that the work they do becomes even more visible in public – so that more people can see the value of the initiatives, be inspired and even make an effort.

Projects supported by the Foundation

Following a process in which 100 youth projects were assessed, four projects were awarded grants for a three-year period, starting in 2011.

Projects supported by the Foundation in the current period are:

• Ung Invest AIB offers courses in a number of subjects to young people as an alternative to ordinary upper secondary education.
  
  
• International Sandwich Brothers - gives part time work to young refugees, providing work experience and opportunities in a new country. 
  
  
• Flytprogrammet - The Foundation's own programme offers recreational activities to 10th graders to help them make good life choices.
  
  
• Catalysts - connects young people with a multi cultural background with mentors that can help them reach their goals at school, at work - or with life in general.
  
  
• Dale Oen Experience - offers school children experiences and the sense of achievement.

Finances and partners

The Foundation’s financial base has been provided by two donations from the Norwegian Government (NOK 1 from each of the country’s inhabitants) – first when the humanitarian fund was established on 25 August 2001 and then again on the occasion of it’s five-year anniversary on 25 August 2006.

In addition, a number of partners from Norwegian trade and industry provide support for the Foundation, either through financial contributions or in the form of pro bono activities.

Organisation

The Foundation is administered by a board chaired by Ms Kristin Halvorsen. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Ole Edvard Wold-Reitan, Johannes Heggland, Rune Bjerke, Zahra Sabha, Anita Valaker, Yosef Wolde-Mariam and Sindre Østgård are members of the board. Irene Lystrup is the Foundation's director.

An expert panel assists the board in the selection of projects.