Prelude to the Foundation

The couple Ingibjörg Kristjánsdóttir and Ólafur Ólafsson decided to establish the Aurora Foundation after they had participated in two projects:

They donated money that enabled building 50 communal schools on behalf of UNICEF in Iceland in the African nation of Sierra Leone, in cooperation with the country's Ministry of Education, and provided the schools with furniture and other equipment. Teachers were also trained to work in the new schools.

In addition, they have supported the development of the Icelandic Settlement Centre in Borgarnes in memory of Ólafur's parents, Anna Ingadóttir and Ólafur Sverrisson, who lived and worked there for many years.

Ingibjörg and Ólafur, founders of the foundation, want Aurora to participate actively in providing support and development aid in close cooperation with governments and residents of communities in need, in the same way as the project they initially implemented in Sierra Leone.

In Iceland, the founders envisage supporting projects to enhance life in areas of culture, the arts and education that will benefit local communities, and even the nation as a whole. The Icelandic Settlement Centre in Borgarnes is just such an example. It has become the pride of the Borgarfjörður district, and a notable arena of culture and art that has gained international recognition.