Greta Thunberg 'uses Right Livelihood Award prize money to establish sustainability foundation'

The 2019 Right Livelihood Award money has been used to establish the non-profit Greta Thunberg Foundation
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Luke O'Reilly20 February 2020

Greta Thunberg is using her prize money from an 2019 Right Livelihood Award to establish a sustainability foundation, according to the Swedish organisation behind the prize.

The purpose of the non-profit Greta Thunberg Foundation "is to promote ecological and social sustainability, as well as mental health", the Right Livelihood Foundation said.

The teenage climate activist was one of four recipients of the prestigious award, which was founded in 1980 to "honour and support courageous people solving global problems".

The one million kronor (£80,000) that came with the award was transferred to create the foundation, Right Livelihood said. Capital is required to set up a foundation in Sweden.

Ms Thunberg said she had established the foundation to transparently handle the money she receives 
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Greta, 17, said in January that she had established a foundation to transparently handle the money she gets from book royalties, donations and prizes.

The Swedish teenager first drew attention two years ago when she skipped school once a week to protest against inaction to curb climate change by her country's legislators.

Ms Thunberg's activism has inspired youngsters around the world
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Her activism inspired other students and grew into an international movement called Fridays for Future.

Her parents have said she experienced severe depression before her teens and that activism has been good for her mental health. Greta has also discussed being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

Earlier this year, two Swedish legislators nominated Greta for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.

Agencies have contributed to this report.