The 2025 Olof Palme Prize is awarded to Utøya for its courageous work for democracy and against extremism. After the terror attack in 2011, the youth movement of the Norwegian Worker’s Party (AUF) decided to take back its island. As a result of their persistent work effort, Utøya is currently the most important classroom for democracy, with a global reach. In 2024 alone, 15 000 youth from Norway and other countries took part in hundreds of seminars, conferences, debates and conversations to strengthen the democratic engagement among participants.
Utøya has become a true role model by using studies and volunteering for the promotion of the opportunities of future generations to live in peace and freedom. A well-functioning democracy is the fundament for our common pursuit of societal development. In times when the threats against democracy are real, when hatred and divisions are rampant, Utøya gives hopes for a different and better future.
Reed more about Utøya here.
Photo: Kristoffer Nyborg