Around the World with the Kavli Trust

– If we are to solve the major societal challenges of our time, those of us who are able must also contribute where the challenges are greatest, says the CEO of the Kavli Trust, Ingrid Paasche.

Since 2001, the Kavli Trust has contributed more than NOK 340 million to various development projects in Africa and Asia.

Education for children and youth, job creation, maternal health, infant health, development of a vaccine against rotavirus, efforts to combat child marriage, vocational training for women, and life skills programs for youth are some of the areas the Kavli Trust has supported.

The foundation now supports development projects within two priority areas:

• Mental health for children and youth through life skills, inclusion, and education
• Climate and the environment, with an emphasis on responsible consumption and production

– One thing is that we will not be able to solve the biggest challenges without standing united across national borders. But those of us who have the most also have a moral responsibility to contribute what we can to those who have the least, says Paasche.

– It is also the poorest countries that bear the greatest costs of human-induced climate change, she points out, and emphasizes:

– The Kavli Trust is proud to be a foundation with an international commitment in a world that needs it more than ever.

Education as a Common Thread

Education is a central component in all the development projects supported by the Kavli Trust.

Kirkens Nødhjelp, Strømmestiftelsen, Adra Norge ond the Danish Human Practice Foundation are the four organizations currently receiving support for various development projects.

– These are four experienced and competent organizations with strong local partners and deep roots in the communities they work in, says Rune Mørland, who is responsible for international development project allocations at the Kavli Trust.

Strengthening Schools

The Human Practice Foundation strengthens local schools in mountainous regions of Nepal by improving school buildings, providing better teaching materials, and increasing teacher competence and staffing levels.

– The results are significantly better school attendance, well-being, and learning outcomes among students. Authorities are following up by increasing budget allocations to schools and education in the same areas, he explains.

Invited by the President

Samvad, Strømmestiftelsens life skills program for youth, helps reduce the risk of human trafficking and contributes to areas in the lowlands of Nepal being declared free of child marriage.

– The program increases awareness of mental health among young people. A clear reduction in suicide is one of several positive indicators of its impact, says Mørland.

Young participants from Samvad have on several occasions been invited by Nepal’s president to share insights about the program and its results. Authorities have followed up by strengthening public services in health and education for children and youth.

In 2023, Strømmestiftelsen was also awarded support for a new project to strengthen mental health services for children and youth in Nepal through parental guidance courses.

Solar Energy Solutions

ADRA Norway is establishing training centers in Ethiopia for the installation, repair, and maintenance of solar energy systems for public buildings.

– Training is provided both at the centers and digitally. After establishment and two years of operation, the authorities take over the continued running of the centers, Mørland explains.

Jobs for Women

Kirkens Nødhjelps Waste for Value program in Ethiopia is important for the environment, creates jobs for women, and contributes to economic growth.

– The program also contributes to the development of new national guidelines for the circular economy in collaboration with national authorities and Ethiopian PETCO, says Rune Mørland, emphasizing:

– All four organizations work closely with local authorities to ensure good coordination with local health and education systems, enabling systemic change and sustainable long-term operation of the programs. We are proud of our collaboration with them and are pleased with the strong results achieved with support from the Kavli Trust.