The Board of the Aurora Fund has allocated ISK 111, 5 million in support of six projects in the field of humanitarian aid, education and culture in Iceland as well as the African countries of Sierra Leone and Mozambique. Four of these projects have not been Fund beneficiaries before.

This is the second time the Aurora Fund allocates grants from its funds. Aurora was founded in January 2007 by Ingibjörg Kristjánsdóttir, landscape architect, and her husband, Ólafur Ólafsson, a member of the board of Samskip and Alfesca. The foundation was initially capitalised by ISK one billion and its annual contributions will derive from interest and other profits from the initial funding, in addition to any money that may be donated.

The primary aim of the foundation is to enhance and strengthen cultural and humanitarian activities in Iceland and in the developing countries. It should be mentioned that most of the Fund's assets were protected during the economic collapse, and its Board will continue to work in the spirit it was intended.

New projects

• The Icelandic Red Cross will receive ISK 20 million in support of three projects, The Red Cross Help Line 1717, The Red Cross' activities designed to help those who have been hit hard by the economic strife, especially psychological support and Vin, the Red Cross shelter for mentally disabled people.
  The money will be split between the three projects. The need for assistance such as this has increased considerably since the onset of the economic depression.
• The Newly founded Aurora Design Fund is a three year experimental project, receiving ISK 25 million per year to support designers getting their work noticed and to assist in product development, primary production, and marketing, both locally and internationally. The Foundation will also communicate knowledge in the field of design and support collaboration between designers and the general economy. A Fund such as this one has never before existed in Iceland. The Aurora Design Fund will soon open the website www.honnunarsjodur.is where further information can be reached.
• Hugi Guðmundsson, composer, will receive ISK 3 million for the webpage MusMap.com in support of an international cultural project, meant to empower classical music and reach new audiences through the internet.
• UNICEF in Iceland receives ISK 3, 5 million to support an award winning child-to-child radio programme organised by UNICEF with children and young people in Mozambique. The radio programme focuses on peer tutoring, empowering oneself, and the participation of children. The National Radio of Iceland, Rás 1, is now working on a similar radio show for children in Iceland, also in collaboration with UNICEF, honouring the 20 year anniversary of the UN's Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Second allocation of three-year projects:

• UNICEF's educational program in Sierra Leone will receive ISK 40 million continued support to create a child-friendly educational system and to build schools, keeping the needs of girls especially in mind. The project began last year, promising Aurora's continued support for a total of ISK 120 million, to be paid out in three parts between 2008-2010.
  The project in Sierra Leone is Aurora Foundation's biggest project to date, and has already trained over a hundred teachers. Nine schools are currently being constructed in the Kono district, with proper water and drainage systems, furniture and teaching utilities.
• Kraumur, Aurora's music fund will receive ISK 20 million to support aspiring musicians in their art and the marketing thereof. Kraumur was founded last year,  at the behest of the Aurora Foundation, with a promise of ISK 50 million to be divided in three payments from 2008-2010. The Aurora fund decided to add another 5 million to the expected 15 million contribution this year, since Kraumur has proven itself to be sorely needed, and its presence of enormous value.
  Kraumur's operations are extensive and flourishing, and the fund has contributed widely. It has supported concerts and tours both in Iceland and abroad, assisted in marketing and created a new award, the Kraumur Award, among other th ings. Further information can be found on Kraumur's lively webpage:  http://www.kraumur.is
  

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