HX Foundation Launches as Dedicated Charity and Invites Global Communities to Apply for New Grants

The evolution of the Foundation signifies HX's commitment to the 250+ destinations it explores globally

Call to action for coastal communities and charities to apply for Foundation grants ahead of November 1, 2024 deadline

London, UK (September 12, 2024) – HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) is proud to announce the launch of the HX Foundation, a dedicated charity supporting local communities and environmental initiatives in the regions where HX operates. Building upon the success of the Hurtigruten Foundation, which has supported over 200 projects in 25 countries and has awarded over 15 million NOK (approx. 1.27 million euros) since its inception in 2015. The HX Foundation is focused solely on the areas where HX’s expedition ships sail, from the Arctic and Alaska to the UK, Galápagos Islands and Antarctica.

The HX Foundation’s first independent grant application is open, and communities, charities, and organizations across HX destinations are encouraged to apply ahead of the November 1, 2024 deadline. This marks the Foundation's second round of grants for 2024, with significant funding available for projects aligned with its mission.

The launch comes off the back of the HX Foundation’s recognition at yesterday’s Seatrade Awards, where it won the ‘Expedition Cruise Initiative of the Year’ for its Rapid Response Fund. The fund enables HX ships to immediately donate up to €1,000 to local community initiatives in urgent need of support at a grassroots level.

“We are delighted to formally introduce the HX Foundation,” said Henrik A Lund, Managing Director of the HX Foundation.“This new phase allows us to sharpen our focus on the coastal communities HX visits, ensuring that we better support their unique needs while continuing to battle issues like plastic waste and wildlife conservation. Our goal is to have a lasting, measurable impact everywhere our ships and guests travel, and we are excited to welcome new grant applications from around the world.”

The HX Foundation will continue its biannual grant distribution, with the most recent cycle awarding a record-breaking sum to innovative projects ranging from wildlife preservation to sustainable tourism initiatives. This May, the Foundation granted over €370,000 to organizations in all the areas HX operates and beyond. Recipients included projects in Canada, Cape Verde, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Senegal, Falklands Islands, Antarctica, Norway, Svalbard, Iceland, the UK, the US, and the Philippines. Previous grants have funded vital projects such as:

• Search and Rescue Dog Training in Svalbard: Supporting the Norwegian rescue dogs since 2019 to aid the region’s critical volunteer emergency response capabilities.
• Greenlandic Children’s Welfare: Ongoing support for the Association of Greenlandic Children, as well as local infrastructure improvements like the refurbishment of the Sisimiut Harbour Trail.
• Cordova, Alaska’s Regenerative Tourism Project: Promoting sustainable, locally driven tourism initiatives through the Cordova Chamber of Commerce.
• Orkney Islands Wildlife Protection: Partnering with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to fund a dog training program aimed at safeguarding Orkney’s native wildlife species.

One of the May 2024 grant recipients, the SEA LIFE TRUST’s Puffin Rescue Centre in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, highlights the impact of the Foundation's efforts. The centre aims to enhance the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local wild puffins and pufflings (baby puffins) who often need assistance when they accidentally fly into the town.

Kim Cupples, General Manager, Beluga Whale Sanctuary, SEA LIFE TRUST in Iceland said:

“The SEA LIFE TRUST, located on Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, has been a very grateful recipient of the HX Foundation grant which will help evolve and redevelop our Puffin Rescue Centre, with this crucial support, we will be able to enhance our puffin hospital, significantly improving our ability to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Atlantic puffins. The redevelopment will mitigate cross-contamination risks and ensure optimal care for both releasable and resident puffins.”

She added: “This grant has also helped us provide an enhanced environment in which our staff can deliver the incredible support they do for the puffins. Vestmannaeyjar is home to the world's largest Atlantic puffin breeding colony and plays a vital role in community-led conservation efforts alongside the community. This project will not only safeguard our beloved puffins but also expand educational opportunities for visitors, furthering our mission to raise environmental awareness. We are immensely grateful to the HX Foundation for enabling us to continue and strengthen our commitment to protecting these iconic seabirds and their environment.”

1. Preserving endangered wildlife in the areas where HX operates, from the Galápagos Islands to the Arctic.
2. Battling plastic waste and marine litter, a critical issue for coastal regions.
3. Supporting local communities to foster sustainable development and regenerative tourism.

Interested organizations can download the application form and guidelines from the HX Foundation website. The application process is simple, and all community-driven initiatives with a focus on environmental sustainability, local economic development, and cultural preservation are encouraged to apply.

The launch signifies HX's deeper commitment to the regions it explores. Together with HX’s employees and guests, the Foundation support local organizations and projects that makes a real difference on the ground. As Lund emphasized: “Our commitment goes beyond exploration. We want to ensure that every coastal community we visit thrives, and we call on partners worldwide to join us in this mission.”

For more information on how to apply, visit HX Foundation.