Association activities and volunteering

Social media make it possible to create and maintain contact across the vast geographic distances. Associations make extensive use of these platforms, also when it comes to fund-raising activities for victims of natural disasters or calls for demonstration.

The football pools and Lotto funds support non-elite sports as well as talent and elite sports. In addition, associations may apply for project funds for non-profit purposes.

Costs for the construction of sports facilities and cultural centres are covered jointly by the Government and municipalities.

The earliest associations

The country’s first association, the Christian association Peqatigiinniat, was founded in Maniitsoq in 1907 and spread to the whole country. The purpose was to debate, on a Christian basis, everyday topics such as hygiene and the resources of the country. The associations held two kinds of meetings, the spiritual ones that pertained to Christian life, and the worldly ones that dealt with the material circumstances of people.

The Aqissiaq sports association was founded in 1931 by Augo Lynge. During World War II, Lynge took the initiative to form the youth organisation Nunatta Qitornai. Nunatta Qitornai published the magazine Inuusuttoq, the goal of which was to revive the young people who were encouraged to take initiative and not hold back on new thoughts.

Everyone lived in small spaces, and the need for gathering places for enlightenment work grew. During the 1920s and 1930s, settlement halls were built in most towns. The settlement halls were all run on a voluntary basis and based on settlement hall associations. The settlement halls were frequently used for business, political and enlightenment purposes. This was the place of new ideas, of theatre and films, talks, dancing and partying.

Kalaallit Nunaanni Arnat Peqatigiit Kattuffiat (Union of Women’s Associations in Greenland) was founded in 1948. The purpose was to provide mutual assistance, work for proficiency in domestic affairs, arouse interest in public work and to work for the maintenance of Greenlandic skins.

Sports associations

The first four sports clubs were formed in the 1930s in Qaqortoq, Nuuk and Maniitsoq. Ten years later, 11 sports clubs had been established, and by 1956, there were a total of 36. The goal in all sports was the Greenland Championships, held at fluctuating intervals of up to a few years.

The Sports Confederation of Greenland (GIF) was founded in 1953. There are about 130 associations with more than 9,000 members under the auspices of GIF. In the 1970s, sports halls were erected in the large towns, and the many clubs joined together in specialist federations. The year of its establishment is commonly indicated by the name, e.g. UB-68 (football), KS- 69 (skiing), B-67 (badminton). Today, GIF has nine special federations.

Aalasa (get moving) is the motto of the confederation that has set itself the goal that by 2030, Greenland should be the world’s most physically active country. This must be done, among other things, by strengthening the volunteer culture. The Make May Healthy initiative contributes to this. Make May Healthy is a movement facilitated by local volunteers, and the goal is to get as many people as possible to be physically active. Sports clubs, gyms, swimming baths, businesses, volunteers and others can set up events where attendance is free of charge. Social media and local newspapers are used for communication.

The various sports clubs organise club championships, regional championships and Greenland championships. Behind each event, volunteers work hard organising the event, finding accommodation, catering, etc.

The improved travel options have made it possible to participate in Danish championships, world championships and the Winter Olympics. However, the Unity of the Realm means that Greenlandic participants in most sports compete under the Danish flag. Since 1989, Greenlandic athletes have participated in the Island Games, the Olympic games for island communities, where competitors compete in 12‑14 sports.

Arctic competition disciplines

Physical and mental strength was needed to hunt and survive in the Arctic. The training, which was mostly in the form of games, is today included in competitive sports. The Arctic Sport Greenland association holds national championships and participates in circumpolar competitions. Today, dog sledding and kayaking are competition disciplines organised into associations.

Football

Kalaallit Arsaattartut Kattuffiat (the Greenland Football Association) was founded in 1971, and the association counts 76 local clubs. This makes football the primary organised sport. Many towns have outdoor gravel fields, and several artificial turf fields have been established in recent years.

In the years after 1979, many mini halls were built, making it possible to play indoor football, among other things.

Arctic Circle Race

The Arctic Circle Race, ACR, is known as the world’s toughest ski race. 160 km must be completed over three days whatever the weather. The race, which first took place in 1998 and has since been held annually, attracts many people, both nationally and internationally. All the logistics around the race are handled by around 250 volunteers.

Marathons

Marathons and extreme races are held in several towns throughout the summer and autumn. Events are organised by local sports clubs or associations.

Associations within culture, nature and society

An old tradition of holding summer camps, aasiviit, where there was room for political debate, music, art, talks and practical activities, was resumed in the mid-1970s. The Aasivik movement was based on the efforts of volunteers, and only in 1980 did the Home Rule begin to provide funding. An annual Aasivik was held until 1996, and the camps resumed in 2012.

Cultural festivals and theatres have been given institutional settings with cultural centres in Nuuk, Ilulissat and Aasiaat and a national theatre in Nuuk.

Nature and environment

The introduction of self-government, the transfer of responsibility for nature and the environment, as well as subsoil and mineral resources, combined with the freedom to work towards independence, have been the backdrop for new voluntary initiatives. Citizens demand to be involved in decision-making processes, and several new non-governmental organisations, NGOs, have emerged. The World Wildlife Fund, WWF, has a branch in Nuuk, which is also home to the nature conservation associations Ocean North, Friends of the Nuuk Fjord and Avataq as well as an active group, Plastic not so fantastic. The Urani Naamik/No to Uranium society has several local departments. Knowledge of radioactive substances is collected and disseminated, and efforts are made to promote citizen participation. The society is behind a series of demonstrations against mining projects aiming to extract uranium.

Transparency International

In 2011, Transparency International opened a branch in Greenland. Transparency International Greenland works to actively prevent corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity. The association wants to ensure that economic growth benefits the whole society.

Greenland Guide and Scout Association

The Greenland Guide and Scout Association was founded in 1973, but the guide and scout movement has been active since the 1940s. In 2007, the Greenland Guide and Scout Association had 500 members, after which a decline in activity levels was seen. Today, the guide and scout movement, helped along by increasing access to social media, is restoring its active groups.

Voluntary social work

Over the years, the disadvantaged people of society have called for volunteering. A number of associations founded abroad today have independent local branches in Greenland. Similarly, associations have emerged in Greenland.

In 2012, the Self-Government established MIO, the National Advocacy Center working for Children’s Rights, and in 2011, UNICEF opened a branch in Greenland. Both collaborate with the voluntary organisations.

Arnat Suleqatigiit

Arnat Suleqatigiit (women working together) emerged with inspiration from the Danner movement in Denmark in 1981 as a cross-party group set up with the aim of investigating the problem of violence between cohabitants.

The need for a shelter for battered and endangered women soon became clear, and in 1983, the first women’s shelter opened in Nuuk. Soon thereafter, women in Ilulissat, Maniitsoq, Sisimiut and Paamiut joined forces and formed local branches of Arnat Suleqatigiit as well as shelters. The shelters were predominantly based on volunteer labour. In Nuuk, the association dissolved in 2001 due to a lack of volunteers.

The Association of Greenlandic Children

The Association Greenlandic Children originated in Denmark in 1924. The background was poverty and tuberculosis, which made a big impression on a visiting delegation from the Danish Rigsdag. The association established and ran homes for orphans and children affected by tuberculosis. Later, nurseries came about.

Following the introduction of the Home Rule, the buildings were handed over and the association was changed to a project and development organisation. Today, the association is in charge of mentoring projects, the Najorti children’s expert scheme and summer camps for children. The association has offices in Nuuk and Copenhagen. All projects are run by volunteers.

Meeqqat Inuunerissut /Better Lives for Children

The association Meeqqat Inuunerissut/Better Lives for Children is actively working to improve conditions for children. The association focuses particularly on the right to one’s own body and the prevention of child sexual assault. The association was established around 2010. It is run by volunteers and conducts nationwide activities.

Nanu Meeqqat/Nanu Children

Through nationwide concrete projects focusing on vulnerable and socially marginalised families, Nanu Children works for increased social responsibility in Greenland. Moreover, the association distributes Christmas aid and organises Christmas parties for families with children.

Natteravne/Unnuarissat

Natteravne/Unduarissat aims to provide a greater sense of security. In the evening and night, adults walk around the towns with the purpose of being visible to children and young people who can contact them. Unnuarissat has existed in Nuuk since 2000 and in several large towns for shorter periods of time.

Save the Children

Meeqqat Ikiortigit – Save the Children Kalaallit Nunaat was founded in 2013. Save the Children is an international organisation and the starting point for the work is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The goal of Meeqqat Ikiortigit is to empower Greenland’s children, with a particular focus on promoting their well-being and development. The association speaks out in the public debate and runs a number of projects.

Red Cross

The Danish Red Cross has worked in Greenland since 1949, when they set up three orphanages. In the 1970s, the first first aid instructors were trained and local departments were established in several towns.

Established as an autonomous department in 1992, Kalaallit Røde Korsiat provides relief aid in both international and national disasters, trains first aid instructors and runs recycling shops in a number of towns.

The Ikiu youth section aims to help socially marginalised young people carve out a meaningful life. One of the ways to achieve this is to build a culture of volunteering among young people.

Neriuffik

Disease sufferers are increasingly being treated in Greenland, however, some patients are referred for treatment in Denmark. In connection with illness, the language barrier can be challenging in that information is needed in one’s own language. Some associations are actively working on this. The biggest one is Neriuffik, a nationwide organisation dedicated to the fight against cancer. Neriuffik is an autonomous division of the Danish Cancer Society and has departments in most towns. Grants are awarded to cancer sufferers and their relatives, informational materials are prepared and supportive talks are offered to cancer sufferers.

Nunatsini Inuit Innarluutillit Kattuffiat

People with physical and mental disabilities are covered by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and have its own spokesperson, Tilioq. Associations for the blind, deaf and people with autism have joined together in the Disability Organisations of Greenland, Nunatsinni Inuit Innarluutillit Kattuffiat (NIIK).

Qaamaneq

In 2019, the association LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Greenland was formed. The association presents itself as a network for young people who would like to promote and work for diversity. The association uses the media and social media to raise awareness, and it carries on the tradition of the annual Gay Pride held for the first time in 2010 in Nuuk and is now conducted in several towns.

Further reading

• Fashion and design
• Film in Greenland
• Food culture
• Home Rule (1979‑2008)
• Language
• Museums of cultural history and heritage
• Music
• Self-Government
• The media in Greenland
• The five regional municipalities
• Theatre and dance
• Towns and settlements
• Traditions and tales
• Visual arts and crafts

Read more about Culture in Greenland