2021 in brief

In 2021 the Erling-Persson Foundation received many interesting and important project proposals. At the end of the year research secretary Ylva Linderson totals the donations at SEK 95.4 million across 16 projects within the Foundation’s three focus areas.

With multiple vaccines against coronavirus on their way out into the world, 2021 began hopefully. There is still a lot to learn, but despite uncertainties the past year has seen a significant recovery from an economic point of view. The world’s stock exchanges not only bounced back, but set new records. In a short-term perspective, good news for philanthropy.

In 2021 the Foundation received many interesting and important project proposals, and donated a total of SEK 95.4 million spread across 16 projects in its three focus areas.

In the area of science and research, eight projects were donated a total of SEK 56.5 million. The projects cover topics such as cardiovascular disease, the diagnosis and fighting of cancer and infectious diseases, metabolic disorders associated with illness and regenerative medicine. The effects of the pandemic were noticeable in several ways. Projects based on international collaboration often had to slow their pace due to travel restrictions and lockdowns. The ability to carry out clinical trials or gain access to patient samples was in some cases affected by the healthcare sector being overstretched. At the Foundation this was noticeable in a somewhat greater need than usual among the projects to be given more time for completion.

Among project proposals received by the Foundation in the area of children and young people the big topics are mental health and exclusion, as well as meaningful and healthy leisure time that provides connections. It is clear that civil society sees a great need in these areas, that they affect each other and are of great significance for young people’s future wellbeing and opportunities. Young people’s ability to make healthy choices is vital for their development and future lives. We know from Generation Pep’s reports on exercise and health among children and young people that there is plenty of room for improvement. All the leisure activities that were cancelled by the pandemic have only further underlined this need. To boost its work Generation Pep was donated support of SEK 2.5 million in 2021.

The largest individual donation in 2021 was to an initiative to stimulate knowledge of Nordic and European food culture. Donated SEK 25 million over six years, the foundation Aptitum Akademi Saxå Bruk will ‘conduct training and support research to develop Swedish gastronomy as an art form’.

Just before this review was completed the invasion of Ukraine began. Many suddenly found themselves in a very vulnerable situation. The Foundation therefore decided at short notice to support the efforts by Save the Children and the Red Cross to help those in need. The future for the many affected is uncertain, but it is clear that civil society efforts will be required for a long time.

In 2021 the Foundation received many interesting and important project proposals, says Ylva Linderson.

Science &

research