Association activities and volunteering on the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands have a large number of associations, most of which are engaged in sports, leisure and welfare work (social and health). Some date far back in history. The latter half of the 19th century saw the emergence of temperance societies and cultural associations, inspired by the public education movement and the nascent nationalism, as well as a few sports associations. In the following period, the membership numbers and importance of the temperance societies were changing, while other types of associations became more widespread. As society underwent a noticeable modernisation, and the population experienced greater prosperity and growth, a clearer division into work and leisure was also seen. This paved the way for changed cultural life and leisure time pursuits.

The changed cultural life resulted in many youth associations, which played a key role as gathering places in the local communities throughout the 20th century. In many villages, either temperance societies or youth associations took steps to build village halls which became the setting for entertainment of various kinds. More sports associations also saw the light of day, mainly in the large villages, where football in particular was popular among the youth.

Today, the sports associations have the largest number of members among the voluntary associations. Most sports are practiced in local associations, which are largely affiliated to the national sports federation ÍSF (founded in 1939) and are organised in a number of special associations and clubs. The Faroe Islands have more than 120 sports associations with about 20,000 individual members. ÍSF is financed through fixed government grants. It is estimated that 2,000‑3,000 people are volunteering, corresponding to 40,000 working hours per year.

The first scout associations were formed in the early 1900s and have had changing membership numbers. The scout movement now has about 2,000 members divided into 30 local groups (The Baden Powell Scouts, The Salvation Army Scouts, YMCA and YWCA). Also, there is a nationwide union of children’s and youth associations (FUR). The 50 affiliated communities for children and young people have very different focuses, e.g. sports, scouting associations, political youth associations, temperance societies etc. Those interested can find communities in, for example, angling associations, ornithological associations and hiking clubs.

A large and important job is overseen by the around ten local rescue associations, which provide assistance in rescue operations in connection with missing persons or persons perished at sea and on land. These have a close collaboration with the official rescue service Vørn. Vørn manages a pool of funds which, upon application, can be allocated to local associations for special initiatives. In addition, the associations have a tradition of seeking assistance from people with particular knowledge of the area when it is required in connection with search work in the mountains or at sea.

Social services associations

Among the social services associations are the 24 patient societies which provide advice and support to people with various disabilities and chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, heart diseases, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease) with about 4,000 members. They are gathered under the organisation Megd, which fills the role of mouthpiece to the official authorities.

Since its establishment in 1926, Reyðikrossur (Red Cross) has had changing membership numbers and importance, but in recent years, it has gradually expanded its areas of work. These include visiting programmes, ambulance service, first aid courses and thrift shops as well as collections for international disaster relief. These activities are mainly carried out by voluntary labour.

There is a crisis centre for abused women with counselling and overnight accommodation. The work is largely carried out by about 35 volunteer women whose annual efforts correspond to more than 10,000 working hours. The number of inquiries from women in need has been increasing since its establishment in 1990. The crisis centre is managed by Kvindehusforeningen (the association of women’s houses) and receives financial support from municipalities and the Faroese Government.

Kris provides counselling and support to people who have been victims of sexual abuse, and Berin provides support to people in grief. Both associations have associated professionals, but also receive help from volunteers for practical tasks. The number of volunteers varies according to need.

There are a number of associations for retired and elderly people, 16 of which are affiliated to the interest organisation Landsfelag Pensionista.

Cultural associations

A number of new associations established in the post-war period testify to an increasing interest in art and science as part of the strengthening of Faroese national consciousness. In the 1950s, academics joined together in a scientific society, and a writers’ association and several other more elitist associations saw the light of day. At the same time, focus was on formalising cooperation with foreign organisations (e.g. a branch of the NORDEN Association in 1951 and Amnesty International in 1964). Gradually, more associations came into existence to exert pressure on the political authorities in favour of new initiatives in the social and cultural field.

Practitioners from various schools of art have formed associations, 11 of which are affiliated to the umbrella organisation LISA.

Musical life includes many different forms, ranging from a symphony orchestra with 50‑60 active musicians, over 10‑12 brass bands with about 250 amateur musicians to the around 30 choirs with 400‑500 active amateur singers. There is also a jazz association and other large or small music associations.

Visual artists, actors and other artists are also organised in interest associations. Also worth mentioning are a number of local dancing clubs, whose aim is to maintain interest in traditional Faroese dance and which organise regular dance evenings or large events.

The interest in systematic collection and preservation of tangible cultural heritage can be traced back to the period around 1900. In 1916, the cultural history association Føroya Forngripasavn was founded to collect and disseminate objects. The association still exists, but its tasks have largely been taken over by the State in the form of Tjóðsavnið. Of a more recent date are the more than 20 local associations of cultural history that are more or less involved in the operation of the village museums, which have been established and are administered either by the municipality or as independent institutions, and which focus on the collection, preservation and dissemination of the local cultural heritage.

The largest art association, Listafelag Føroya, was formed in 1941 by Faroese people living in Denmark. In 1970, the association took the initiative to build the Listaskálin exhibition building in Tórshavn. It has about 400 members and is active with exhibitions and other art dissemination. Another art association, Norðoya Listafelag from 1985, has about 140 members. It is based in Klaksvík and purchases art and curates exhibitions.

In recent years, several environmental associations and organisations have been formed. These are independent communities, some of which are membership-based, and all work is done by volunteers.

Further reading

• Crafts and design on the Faroe Islands
• Eating and dining on the Faroe Islands
• Film on the Faroe Islands
• G! Festival
• Gøtu Fornminnisfelag (Museum Association)
• Languages and dialects on the Faroe Islands
• Literature on the Faroe Islands
• Media on the Faroe Islands
• Museums of cultural history and heritage on the Faroe Islands
• Music on the Faroe Islands
• Religion and religious communities on the Faroe Islands
• Sports on the Faroe Islands
• Theater on the Faroe Islands
• Visual arts on the Faroe Islands

Read more about Culture on the Faroe Islands