Our Community
Supporting the Svalbard community
Longyearbyen is more than the place where we operate – it is home to our employees, colleagues, partners, friends and neighbours.
We support a range of local organisations, events and projects that contribute to community life, culture, sport and safety on Svalbard.
Local sponsorships
We sponsor and support a number of events and initiatives on Svalbard, including:
Dark Season Blues, bringing musicians and audiences together during the polar night.
TV-aksjonen, Norway's annual national fundraising campaign.
Svalbard Skimarathon, bringing competitors and volunteers together for one of Svalbard's major sporting events.
Spitsbergen Marathon, held in Longyearbyen under the midnight sun.
Longyearbyen Literature Festival, celebrating literature, storytelling and Arctic perspectives.
Polarjazz, one of Svalbard's established cultural events during winter.
Our partnerships and sponsorships change over time, reflecting current projects and needs within the community.
Hurtigruten Foundation: Supporting local projects on Svalbard
The Hurtigruten Foundation provides funding for selected environmental and community projects in Svalbard.
Some of the local projects recently supported by the Hurtigruten Foundation
Outdoor activities for the community
The foundation has sponsored events organised by Aktiv i Friluft, such as a boat trip for schoolchildren across Isfjorden to explore glaciers, seals, and walruses, as well as educational seminars on Svalbard mushrooms for locals. These initiatives foster community engagement and connection to the Arctic environment.
Training avalanche rescue dogs
In collaboration with local volunteers, the Hurtigruten Foundation supports the training of rescue dogs to save lives during avalanches on Svalbard, enhancing safety for residents and visitors alike.
Mental health and social inclusion
Hurtigruten Foundation funds “speed-friending” events to combat loneliness and support new arrivals in Longyearbyen. These events provide a welcoming space for social interaction, helping to strengthen the local community.
Beach cleanups on Prins Karls Forland
Through Prosjekt Forlandet, the foundation supported a two-week cleanup of marine debris along 40 km of coastline, removing over 8,000 kg of waste. This project involved local volunteers and highlighted the impact of global marine pollution on Arctic ecosystems.
Green Stay initiative
Guests at Coal Miners' Cabins, Radisson Blu Polar Hotel and Funken Lodge can choose to skip daily room cleaning. For each room and each day cleaning is declined, NOK 5 is donated to the Hurtigruten Foundation. These funds contribute to projects selected for support by the foundation.