Humanitarian Fund 

Two representatives for the organisation travelled to Bergen to receive the award from the Crown Princess in a ceremony held at the University of Bergen on 27 August 2008.

Fundación Xochiquetzal [Fundasion Šusital]

The Fundación Xochiquetzal was founded in 1990, and carries out programmes aimed at HIV-positive children and adolescents who have been the target of sexual abuse. This is a widespread problem in Nicaragua, where power structures can leave young girls in particular vulnerable to sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

The Fundación Xochiquetzal has implemented a number of social projects throughout Nicaragua, and has since its founding helped to give close to 50 young people a better life. The grant will be used to fund micro-loans to enable young victims of human trafficking to establish their own businesses. The organisation will in addition follow the recipients closely and provide financial, psycho-social and practical assistance.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit visited the Fundación Xochiquetzal in November of 2007, when she paid an official visit to Nicaragua together with Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

The Fundación Xochiquetzal was awarded a grant of NOK 500 000.