HX Foundation has awarded €118,000 to 13 global projects, supporting environmental conservation, community empowerment, wildlife protection and sustainable development.

This marks the foundation’s first independent grant round since separating from the Hurtigruten Group Foundation earlier this year. The funded projects, spanning 11 countries and regions, aim to address challenges from the Arctic to the tropics, particularly in areas impacted by HX’s sailings.

“We are delighted to support these incredible projects that not only champion environmental conservation but also foster community development, education, and responsible tourism,” said HX Foundation Managing Director Henrik A. Lund. “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.”

Tudor Morgan, chair of the HX Foundation board, added: “With the holidays just around the corner, the HX Foundation’s grant program is a reminder of the power of giving back. 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.”

The company said that winners were selected from over 120 applications received in November 2024.

The 13 winners include:

• Árbol co(n)razón – Community Fire Brigade for Wildlife Conservation (Ecuador): Supports the creation of a community-led fire brigade to protect Ecuador’s forests and wildlife from destructive fires.
• Audubon – Expanding Ecotourism as an Economic Driver in Alaska with a Focus on Birding Trails (United States): Aims to enhance ecotourism in Alaska, creating birding trails that benefit wildlife and local communities.
• Børns Vilkår – Hear Me – Phase 2: Support for Greenlandic Youth (Greenland): Provides resources for Greenlandic youth to engage in constructive activities and advocate for issues affecting their future.
• Fundación ADHA – Empowering Local Communities for Páramos Conservation and Community-Based Ecotourism (Ecuador): Supports sustainable ecotourism initiatives in Ecuador’s páramos region, protecting biodiversity.
• Happywhale – Advancing Responsible AI to Support Whale Conservation Science (United States): Uses AI to track and protect whale populations, advancing global marine conservation.
• Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust – The Citizen Science Equipment Upgrade Project (United Kingdom): Aims to improve infrastructure for citizen science, enabling better data collection on whale and dolphin populations.
• Heriot-Watt University – Whales and Arctic Vessels (WAVE) (United Kingdom): Seeks to investigate whale-ship interactions in the Arctic to develop safer and more sustainable maritime practices.
• Seamen’s Home in Sisimiut – Christmas Evening at the Seamen’s Home (Greenland): Provides a festive gathering for workers in Greenland to ensure they feel supported during the holiday season.
• Sipineq+ – Nuuk Pride 2025 (Greenland): Plans Greenland’s first Pride event in 2025, promoting inclusion and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
• The GRAB Trust – Beaches and Marine Litter Project (United Kingdom): Tackles marine pollution in Argyll and Bute through beach clean-ups and education on sustainable waste practices.
• The Oxen Expedition Engagement Network – Nunavut and Greenland Community Engagement (Canada and Greenland): Fosters cultural exchange and environmental awareness between communities in Nunavut and Greenland.
• Toronto Metropolitan University – Moving from a Volume to Value-Based Approach to Achieve More Sustainable Tourism (Canada): Helps local tourism operators shift towards a more sustainable model, reducing environmental impact.
• World Cetacean Alliance – World Heritage Areas: Creating Lasting, Sustainable Change for Cetaceans (Global): Focuses on protecting cetacean habitats in World Heritage Areas to ensure their survival.