The Álgu Fund

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About The Álgu Fund

The Álgu Fund is a charitable Foundation based in Sweden set up by Aleut International Association, Arctic Athabaskan Council, Gwich'in Council International, Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON), and Saami Council. Our goal is to raise an endowment of $30,000,000 USD, the interest of which will be distributed annually between Permanent Participant organizations. Funds will be distributed at a sustainable level, so that the principal of the endowment remains untouched. In this way, we seek to ensure the long-term viability of the Fund. 

The Álgu Fund facilitates our ability to contribute to the Arctic Council by:

  • Expressing and protecting the interests of northern
  • Indigenous communities;
  • Facilitating the inclusion of traditional indigenous knowledge, as well as understanding and respect for this knowledge, and Indigenous cultural traditions;
  • Actively partnering on Arctic Council projects by providing experts and facilitating local involvement, so that projects are more reflective of the communities they are intended to serve;
  • Promoting cross-border cooperation amongst Indigenous peoples and the jurisdictions in which they live; and
  • Supporting local initiatives undertaken by affiliated Indigenous organizations.

The Álgu Fund provides sustained and predictable funding for the following kinds of activities:

  • Access to expertise in specialized research areas, consistent with Arctic Council projects and areas of interest, as a result of increased operating support;
  • Attractiveness to leading experts within communities and the next generation of leaders to ensure our organizational strength and ability to participate in the Arctic Council over the long-term;
  • Ability to work collaboratively amongst and between Permanent Participants;
  • Coordination amongst the supporting Indigenous organizations, and the pursuit of shared interests in a strategic manner at all levels of jurisdiction;
  • Knowledge about Permanent Participant work and that of the Arctic Council in communities; and
  • Presence at the Arctic Council overall.

Álgu in the Saami language means “beginning.” We believe that this effectively reflects our goal: a new beginning for our organizations to fully take advantage of and contribute to the unique opportunity that comes with Indigenous participation within the Arctic Council. We are excited by the opportunities offered by The Álgu Fund to ensure that indigenous voices continue to be a defining feature of the Arctic Council, contributing to its future success and that of the region.

For more information see www.algufund.org or contact info@algufund.org.