New Projects in 2025
Every day is a great day to make a difference
Through these projects, we hope to contribute to lasting, positive change. Each initiative reflects our commitment to creating real impact – by supporting people, strengthening communities, and building a more inclusive and compassionate society.
The VOA II Project
Creating Change Where It’s Needed Most
In the urban slums surrounding São Paulo, Brazil, Children At Risk Foundation (CARF) and its local partner Rede Cultural Beija-Flor are creating life-changing opportunities for children and youth who grow up surrounded by poverty, violence, and social exclusion.
Through The VOA II Project, children access arts and cultural workshops that build confidence and resilience. Teen girls receive academic and emotional support through the Valiant Girls Initiative, while youth and adults are offered free vocational training that opens real pathways out of poverty. A dedicated team of mentors and mental health professionals walk alongside participants and their families – helping them not just to survive, but to thrive.
This project is a testament to how holistic, community-based efforts can transform lives. One activity, one course, one safe space at a time.
UWC Costa Rica
Opening Doors to a World of Possibility
At UWC Costa Rica, education becomes a bridge – connecting young people across cultures, backgrounds, and continents. With support from the Grieg Foundation, talented students from across Latin America are offered the opportunity to join a truly global learning environment grounded in equity, diversity, and shared responsibility.
The scholarships provide more than access to academics. Students are welcomed into a community that nurtures their potential – through personal mentorship, wellness support, and experiential learning that empowers them to lead with empathy and purpose. These scholars carry with them a commitment to making a difference – in their communities and beyond.
Together, we help unlock futures that might otherwise remain out of reach.
Robin Hood Huset
Where Families Find Joy – Together
At Robin Hood Huset in Bergen, weekends and school holidays are transformed into moments of joy, discovery, and belonging for families who need it most. Through free activities like museum visits, cinema trips, swimming, hikes, and creative play, children and their parents get to share meaningful experiences – often for the very first time. Every outing includes food, transport, and all entry fees, so no family has to worry about hidden costs. Just show up, be together, and take part.
With growing demand and limited capacity, many families have had to wait weeks between opportunities to join. Thanks to new funding, the project will now double its weekly offerings – reaching over 2,000 more participants each year. This means more children building memories, more parents feeling included, and more families gaining confidence and connection in a city that becomes just a little warmer – one activity at a time.
Give Music A Chance: GMAC62
A New Beat in the Heart of Bergen
GMAC 62 is more than just a space – it's a creative hub where music becomes a tool for connection, empowerment, and expression. In a world where too many young people lack access to cultural arenas, GMAC 62 offers a vibrant and inclusive alternative. Here, youth aged 13–24 can borrow instruments, learn to play, build and repair their own gear, and take part in everything from open mic nights and concerts to songwriting and production workshops.
The project gives new life to old instruments – and to young people, too. With hands-on guidance, a welcoming community, and access to real industry mentors, GMAC 62 creates a space where creativity thrives and friendships form. From the joy of learning your first chords to the pride of performing live – every note played helps build a more inclusive, sustainable, and music-filled future.
Dale Oen Academy
Rebuilding Confidence, One Step at a Time
At Dale Oen Academy Vest, vulnerable youth are given a chance to reset, rediscover their potential, and reimagine their future. Many arrive with a history of school dropout, anxiety, or trauma – unsure of where to go next. Here, they find structure, care, and challenges designed to build confidence from the inside out.
Through a year-long, hands-on learning program that blends outdoor life, practical training, and personal development, participants learn to trust themselves and others. With close mentorship and a strong focus on mental health and life skills, the academy helps each young person move toward education or work – and, most importantly, toward a life they believe in.
Dale Oen Academy shows how trust, time, and tailored support can help young people not just cope, but grow – into active, hopeful contributors to their communities.
Jazzplass
A Stage for the City – and Everyone in It
At the heart of Bergen’s cultural waterfront, Jazzplass is growing into an open-air space for music, art, and gathering – where everyone is invited, and no ticket is needed. As part of Nattjazz, one of Norway’s most established festivals, this project transforms the space between USF Verftet and Hallen USF into a vibrant hub of free concerts, storytelling, food experiences, and shared moments.
With support from the Grieg Foundation, Nattjazz will bring together local talent, international voices, and the city’s many communities. From children’s concerts to participatory performances, Jazzplass celebrates the power of music to connect across generations and backgrounds – and builds Bergen’s future as an accessible, creative city for all.
Robust Mamma
Strong Mothers, Stronger Futures
Becoming a mother is one of life’s biggest transitions – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Robust Mamma is a new initiative from Bergen Kvinnehelse, offering first-time mothers tailored support through pregnancy and the postpartum period. The goal: to prevent health challenges before they start, and to strengthen women in one of life’s most vulnerable phases.
Through a carefully designed program that includes childbirth preparation, postpartum care, group support, and professional guidance, women are met by a team of midwives, physiotherapists, psychologists, and therapists. With help from the Grieg Foundation, the project can be made accessible to more women – creating a safety net where none currently exists, and laying the groundwork for a healthier start to life, for both mother and child.
Alle skal med!
Making Space for Everyone
For some children and youth, finding a place to move, belong, and thrive isn’t easy. Alle Skal Med is a swimming-based activity program designed for those who often fall between the cracks – kids who aren’t reached by traditional sports, health services, or local clubs, but who light up in the water.
Through playful, adapted activities in the pool, this project builds confidence, joy, and physical well-being in a safe, supportive setting. With help from the Grieg Foundation, participation is free of charge – ensuring that every child has a chance to experience the benefits of movement, inclusion, and connection.
Together, we’re lowering the threshold – and raising the sense of possibility.
