HX Foundation
Giving Back to the Places We Explore
At HX we believe exploring the world opens our minds and inspires us in so many ways. But we also think the privilege of exploring comes with responsibility.
Expedition cruising – done right – can have a positive impact on the places we visit, whether that’s helping restore a marine ecosystem, protecting endangered animals, or lending support to a local community.
In 2015, HX Foundation was set up to enable us to make that possible. Funded by our onboard Green Stay programme, as well as charity auctions and donations from guests, HX Foundation supports projects and initiatives around the world that really make a difference.
Since HX Foundation was launched, we’ve supported more than 150 projects in 23 different countries. We don’t just donate money and move on, we’re actively engaged in every project, and we measure their impact. Each one aligns with our stated missions to help preserve endangered wildlife, battle marine litter, and support local communities wherever we sail.
Focus Areas
HX Foundation is a collaboration between Hurtigruten HX Expeditions, our employees, and our guests. Together we unite in our commitment to strengthen local communities and stop unsustainable mass tourism.
To ensure that our efforts have a measurable effect, we have chosen to focus on three areas:
Preserving endangered wildlife
Battling plastic waste and marine litter
Supporting local communities in the areas where we operate
We focus on these issues because they affect our guests, the communities where we operate and our employees every day! Everywhere we operate we see the negative effects that a lack of engagement has had, and we want to change that. As a company and as a foundation, we care, and we want to make sure that every place we are to be a little bit better off because we are there.
Since 2015 we have supported more than 150 projects
We have supported projects from Svalbard in the high north, to Antarctica in the south – and everywhere else in between. We fund and collaborate with projects, researchers and enthusiasts around the world who help bring knowledge, awareness and action to our vulnerable ecosystems and endangered wildlife. So far, we have given out more than 10 million NOK in grants to projects in 23 countries.
Apply for funding
Have a project that will make a difference? Being world leader in exploration travel comes with a responsibility we take seriously. Through our common admiration and love for oceans, wildlife, local communities, and the pristine destinations we explore, we invite you to join us and be part of the solution. Each year we have two rounds of grants. The deadline for applications are May 1st and November 1st.
Eligibility We welcome applications from any organisation undertaking projects or initiatives in destinations where HX operate.
HX currently operates in Alaska, Antarctica, Arctic Canada and the Northwest Passage, Argentina, the British Isles, the Caribbean, Central America, Chile, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, the Falkland Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Svalbard. We are unlikely to support projects outside of these areas.
If you want to collaborate with HX on a science research project, or if your project requires using one of the HX’ ships as a platform, please send an email with a brief outline of your project to [email protected] before submitting your application.
How to apply? Please complete the application form below and submit it together with any supporting material to [email protected]. Before applying, please review our guidelines document. Our application deadlines are May 1st and November 1st.
Meet our Managing Director Henrik Lund
Henrik began his role with Hurtigruten Foundation in August 2021, bringing with him broad international experience within sustainability, philanthropy and international affairs.
He is formerly the Chief-of-Staff for José María Figueres - the former President of Costa Rica and former CEO of the World Economic Forum.
Henrik describes himself as the ‘rebel of the house’ in Hurtigruten Group and is passionate about our guests creating lasting positive impact in the beautiful but climate fragile areas we operate.
Henrik’s favourite Hurtigruten destination is Svalbard for its breath-taking scenery and majestic nature combined with its rich history. In his spare time, Henrik likes to explore new cultures and is a keen, albeit mediocre (his words), sailor missing a boat.
You can follow Henrik Lund on Linkedin.
