This Year’s TV Fundraiser: NOK 500,000 to Combat Child Marriage

Kavli Trust has awarded NOK 500,000 to Plan Norway through NRK’s TV Fundraiser, an annual nationwide campaign run by Norway’s public broadcaster, NRK, to raise money for humanitarian causes. The funds from this year’s campaign will support Plan Norway’s work to combat child marriage in countries where it is most prevalent.

“Many thanks to everyone at Kavli and Kavli Trust. Together, we can give thousands of girls the chance to choose their own future,” says Marthe Jansen, regional leader for NRK’s TV Fundraiser in Vestland.

Aiming to Reach Three Million People

Every three seconds, a girl is married off somewhere in the world, according to figures from Plan International. Child marriage is most common in Bangladesh, Nepal, Malawi, Mali, and Niger.

With the funds from the TV Fundraiser, Plan Norway will work to ensure girls in these countries can stay in school, that children, youth, and adults receive education on girls’ rights and gender equality, and that laws protect children from being forced into marriage.

“Our goal is to reach three million people with the funds we raise. Girls should have the same opportunities as boys. Children should be children, not brides,” says Jansen.

A Tradition of Giving

Kavli Trust owns the entire Kavli Group and distributes all profits from Kavli brands to good causes. This has enabled Kavli Trust to support the TV Fundraiser every year since 2013. Operating from Kavli’s offices in Midtun, Bergen, Kavli Trust always channels its support through NRK’s regional Vestland TV Fundraiser and its business relay initiative.

“It is with great pleasure that Kavli Trust contributes NOK 500,000 to this year’s TV Fundraiser for Plan Norway. In doing so, we continue a long-standing tradition of collaboration that benefits many people. It is always inspiring to take part in this unique, national effort,” says Inger Elise Iversen, CEO of Kavli Trust.

Kavli Staff Get Involved

This year, Kavli employees have also actively engaged in the fundraiser. The donation cheque for NOK 500,000 was presented when Hermine Svortevik Oen, ambassador for the TV Fundraiser, recently visited Kavli in connection with Plan’s “Girls Takeover” campaign.

“Girls Takeover” is an international initiative held every year on the occasion of the UN’s International Day of the Girl on 11 October. This year, the campaign was part of the mobilisation work for the TV Fundraiser, and Hermine Oen served as a senior leader for a day, acting as Kavli’s marketing director.

“It has been an incredible honour to take part in ‘Girls Takeover’ as part of NRK’s Vestland TV Fundraiser and to help highlight girls’ rights,” says Gudfunna Traustadottir, Kavli’s marketing director.

“Hermine is an impressive ambassador and a real role model for many. We hope the TV Fundraiser and our half-million NOK contribution will help more girls worldwide fulfil their dreams,” Traustadottir adds.

Focus on Children and Youth Mental Health

“This year, the purpose of the TV Fundraiser also aligns with our focus on mental health for children and young people,” notes Inger Elise Iversen.

“We want to help strengthen children’s and young people’s mental health through support for preventative work in inclusion, life skills, and education. This year’s fundraiser will enable thousands of girls to access their fundamental rights. Girls who are not married off as children are more likely to stay in school and become a resource in their own lives and in society,” Iversen explains, adding:

“We now hope as many people as possible will sign up as collection volunteers, and that many businesses will follow our lead and make a strong contribution to this important work.”

Facts about this year’s TV Fundraiser

• Takes place on 24 October to support Plan Norway’s work to combat child marriage.
• Plan Norway is part of Plan International, a global aid organisation working at grassroots level for children’s rights.
• Plan operates long-term development programmes in more than 50 countries.
• Child protection is fundamental to everything Plan does.
• For more than 80 years, Plan has worked to ensure all children have equal rights.
• The organisation focuses on the world’s most marginalised children.
• Measures to prevent child marriage are among Plan’s most important tasks in creating a better future for children, with good health and education.