Grant awards announced 

Grants were awarded to the “Vær stolt” and HYWA projects for children and young people

“Both sides of the city – east and west – have experienced dramatic events that are rooted in a lack of respect for equality and human worth. This year’s grants from Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Humanitarian Fund are being awarded to two projects that have chosen to meet such challenges by giving young people the opportunity to work together to strengthen their local community, themselves and each other,” said the Crown Princess in her presentation speech.

Each project received NOK 150,000 from Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Humanitarian Fund.

“Vær stolt” (Be proud)

The project “Vær stolt” works to strengthen young people’s self-esteem and self-confidence and to promote understanding of the importance of integration and community solidarity. The project seeks to contribute to a safer, more secure daily life for all by giving children and young people a chance to shape their local youth community in a positive way.

HYWA

HYWA is a young people’s organisation that works to prevent violence, racism, and drug and alcohol use. The word HYWA means hope in Kurdish.

The organisation was established in Rykkin in Bærum municipality after a young boy was murdered there in summer 2008. Since that time the organisation has initiated conflict management and peace-building activities among groups of young people.

Seminar

The awards ceremony took place at an event at the House of Literature in Oslo that also included a seminar about how positive inclusion can provide lasting results in preventing criminality and promoting a secure childhood and adolescence . Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were both in attendance at the seminar, which was organised by the mediation board of Sør-Trøndelag county with support from Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Humanitarian Fund.

The seminar was concluded later that afternoon.

The Humanitarian Fund

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Humanitarian Fund enables the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to focus efforts on causes of special interest to them. The fund was founded in connection with their marriage in 2001, and since that time has provided support to projects in Norway and abroad.

In Norway grants are allocated to projects aimed at improving conditions for children and young people and promoting inclusion.