by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 12:30 PM ET, Tue December 24, 2024
The HX Foundation, the charitable arm of HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), has awarded 118,000 ($122,000) to 13 initiatives around the globe. Spanning 11 countries and regions, the projects range from environmental conservation and community empowerment to wildlife protection and sustainable development.?
This funding allocation is the first round of grants HX Foundation has given out since it split from the Hurtigruten Group Foundation earlier this year.?
“As we enter the holiday season, it’s a time for reflection on the importance of giving back, and we’re proud to play a part in supporting these initiatives that make the world a better place for all,” says Henrik A. Lund, managing director of the HX Foundation.
The initiatives were selected from more than 120 applications.? The next round of grants will be awarded in May.
Here are the 13 projects the foundation is supporting:
- ?rbol co(n)razón – Community Fire Brigade for Wildlife Conservation (Ecuador): This initiative supports the creation of a community-led fire brigade to protect Ecuador’s vital forests and wildlife from destructive fires.
- Audubon (National Audubon Society) – Expanding Ecotourism as an Economic Driver in Alaska with a Focus on Birding Trails (United States): Audubon will enhance ecotourism opportunities, creating birding trails that benefit both local wildlife and communities in Alaska.
- B?rns Vilk?r (Children’s Welfare) – Hear Me – Phase 2: Support for Greenlandic Youth (Greenland): This project provides vital resources for Greenlandic youth, empowering them to engage in constructive activities and raise their voices on issues affecting their future.
- Fundación ADHA – Empowering Local Communities for Páramos Conservation and Community-Based Ecotourism (Ecuador): Fundación ADHA will help local communities in Ecuador’s páramos region develop sustainable ecotourism initiatives that protect the area’s unique biodiversity.
- Happywhale – Advancing Responsible AI to Support Whale Conservation Science (United States): Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence, Happywhale is advancing efforts to track and protect whale populations, contributing to global marine conservation.
- Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust – The Citizen Science Equipment Upgrade Project (United Kingdom): The Trust will improve its citizen science infrastructure, empowering volunteers to collect better data on whale and dolphin populations in the Hebrides.
- Heriot-Watt University – Whales and Arctic Vessels (WAVE) (United Kingdom): This project will investigate the interactions between whales and Arctic vessels, aiming to develop strategies for safer, more sustainable maritime practices.
- Seamen’s Home in Sisimiut – Christmas Evening at the Seamen’s Home (Greenland): With this project, the Seamen’s Home will provide a warm and festive holiday gathering for workers in Greenland, ensuring they feel supported and appreciated during the holiday season
- Sipineq+ – Nuuk Pride 2025 (Greenland): Sipineq+ is working to establish Greenland's first Pride event in 2025, fostering inclusion, visibility, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in Greenland.
- The GRAB Trust – Beaches and Marine Litter Project (United Kingdom): This initiative will tackle marine pollution in Argyll and Bute, engaging local communities in beach clean-ups and education on sustainable waste practices.
- The Oxen Expedition Engagement Network – Nunavut and Greenland Community Engagement (Canada and Greenland): The project will foster cultural exchange and environmental awareness between communities in Nunavut and Greenland, highlighting shared challenges and solutions.
- Toronto Metropolitan University – Moving from a Volume to Value-Based Approach to Achieve More Sustainable Tourism (Canada): This project will help local tourism operators shift towards a more sustainable model, focusing on quality rather than quantity to reduce environmental impact.
- World Cetacean Alliance – World Heritage Areas: Creating Lasting, Sustainable Change for Cetaceans (Global): The World Cetacean Alliance will focus on protecting cetacean habitats in World Heritage Areas, ensuring the survival of these magnificent marine species for generations to come.
“With the holidays just around the corner, the HX Foundation's grant program is a reminder of the power of giving back,” says Tudor Morgan, chair of the HX Foundation board. “These 13 projects are united by a shared goal: to create a sustainable, more inclusive world through environmental conservation, community development and the protection of wildlife. Whether it's safeguarding whales, providing for vulnerable youth, or advancing sustainable tourism, the grant recipients represent the very best of global collaboration, where every donation—no matter how small—can create ripples of positive change.”
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