Svenssonstiftelsen

Svenssonstiftelsen (the Svensson Foundation) was a Norwegian foundation established in 2014 by the trade union Industri Energi. Its purpose was to promote the value of trade union organising and respect for trade union rights, and to carry out projects aimed at increasing union membership, community and solidarity work both nationally and internationally. The foundation was particularly tasked with developing activities related to the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights, publicising the prize, and following up on prize winners and their work. The foundation was dissolved in 2021, and its activities were continued by Industri Energi. Espen Løken, who had been daily manager since 1 January 2019, continued this work within Industri Energi after the foundation was wound up. The Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights is an international award established by the Norwegian union Styrke. It is awarded annually by the Committee for the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights in accordance with guidelines set out in its statutes. The prize amount is NOK 500,000 (approximately EUR 43,000 / USD 47,000). Half the amount goes directly to the prize winner and an equal amount is spent on projects related to the prize winner. The money comes from the International Solidarity Fund of Styrke and can be adjusted by the National Executive Committee in connection with the review of the federation's budget. The main purpose is to promote and strengthen trade unions and trade union rights internationally. The prize is presented to a person or organisation that has worked predominantly to promote trade union rights and/or strengthen trade union organising around the world. Nominations can be made by representatives and employees of Norwegian trade unions, representatives and employees of trade unions around the world affiliated to confederations that are part of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) or the Global Unions, past recipients of the prize, and members of the boards of organisations that have received the prize in the past. The prize committee is broadly composed of seven people from the Norwegian trade union movement, appointed by the National Executive Committee of Styrke for a four-year period. The National Executive Committee of Styrke has the authority to replace members. The 2025 prize was awarded to the Belarusian trade union leader Aliaksandr Yarashuk, and the award ceremony was held in Oslo on 11 June. The 2026 prize was awarded to Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) since 2023, described as one of the most courageous and principled defenders of trade union rights on the African continent today. The award ceremony is scheduled for 10 June 2026 in Samfunnssalen, with doors opening at 10:30 and the programme starting at 11:00. All friends of the trade union movement are welcome, but advance registration via a link is required.

Svenssonstiftelsen was established in 2014 by the Norwegian trade union Industri Energi. Its purpose was to work to promote the value of trade union organising and respect for trade union rights, and to carry out projects aimed at increasing trade union organising, community and solidarity work both nationally and internationally. The foundation was to work in particular to develop activities related to the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights, to inform about the prize, and to follow up on prize winners and their work. In 2021 the foundation was dissolved, and its activities were continued by Industri Energi. Espen Løken, who had been daily manager since 1 January 2019, continued this work within Industri Energi after the foundation was wound up. The Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights is an international award established by the Norwegian union Styrke. It is awarded annually by the Committee for the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights in accordance with guidelines set out in its statutes. The statutes can be amended by the National Board of Styrke with a 2/3 majority. The prize amount is NOK 500,000 (approximately EUR 43,000 / USD 47,000). Half the amount goes directly to the prize winner and an equal amount is spent on projects related to the prize winner. The money comes from the International Solidarity Fund of Styrke and can be adjusted by the National Executive Committee in connection with the review of the federation's budget. The main purpose is to promote and strengthen trade unions and trade union rights internationally. The prize is presented to a person or organisation that has worked predominantly to promote trade union rights and/or strengthen trade union organising around the world. Nominations can be made by representatives and employees of Norwegian trade unions, representatives and employees of trade unions around the world affiliated to confederations that are part of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) or the Global Unions, past recipients of the prize, and members of the boards of organisations that have received the prize in the past. The prize committee is broadly composed of seven people from the Norwegian trade union movement, appointed by the National Executive Committee of Styrke for a four-year period. The National Executive Committee of Styrke has the authority to replace members. The 2025 prize was awarded to the Belarusian trade union leader Aliaksandr Yarashuk, and the award ceremony was held in Oslo on 11 June. The 2026 prize was awarded to Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) since 2023, described as one of the most courageous and principled defenders of trade union rights on the African continent today. The award ceremony is scheduled for 10 June 2026 in Samfunnssalen, with doors opening at 10:30 and the programme starting at 11:00. All friends of the trade union movement are welcome, but advance registration via a link is required.

• 2026

  Arthur Svensson Prize awarded to Joe Ajaero; ceremony scheduled for 10 June in Samfunnssalen.

• 2025

  Arthur Svensson Prize awarded to Aliaksandr Yarashuk; ceremony in Oslo on 11 June.

• 2021

  Foundation dissolved; activities continued by Industri Energi.

• 2019

  Espen Løken becomes daily manager on 1 January.

• 2014

  Svenssonstiftelsen established by Industri Energi.

A foundation dedicated to promoting trade union rights and organising internationally, primarily through the Arthur Svensson International Prize.

• Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights

  Annual international award of NOK 500,000 to promote and strengthen trade unions and trade union rights internationally.

1. 1Svenssonstiftelsensvenssonstiftelsen.com
2. 2About the award | Svenssonstiftelsensvenssonstiftelsen.com
3. 3Svenssonstiftelsenwikidata.org
4. 4Svenssonstiftelsenno.wikipedia.org