- Dette innlegget er også tilgjengelig på norsk.
Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen congratulates Fritt Ukraina on being awarded the Sønsteby Prize. He points to the organisation as a role model for how voluntary engagement, industry, and military needs can be more closely aligned.
“I am very pleased that Fritt Ukraina is receiving the Sønsteby Prize this year. It is thoroughly well deserved,” says Kristoffersen.
He emphasises that Ukraine’s fight is the most important international effort supported by Norway, and that the prize should also be seen as recognition of the broad voluntary engagement in support of Ukraine.
“I believe Fritt Ukraina is receiving the prize also on behalf of many other volunteers who contribute to supporting Ukraine. The Sønsteby Foundation has chosen a worthy candidate,” he says.
A role model for interaction between users and industry
According to the Chief of Defence, Fritt Ukraina has distinguished itself through its ability to create close interaction between industry and the military units that actually need the equipment.
“One of the things Fritt Ukraina has been very good at is establishing close cooperation between industry and users in the field. This close interaction between defence and industry is absolutely crucial for continuous innovation and for ensuring that the right equipment reaches those who need it,” says Kristoffersen.
He highlights this as an important lesson also for the further development of the Norwegian Armed Forces and the total defence concept.
“This is something we have pointed to in our work to further develop the Armed Forces in Norway, and the experience from Fritt Ukraina’s work in Ukraine is certainly something we bring back home.
Rapid conversion of support into effect on the groundKristoffersen believes the voluntary initiative demonstrates how support can quickly be translated into tangible impact.
“What Fritt Ukraina is good at is engaging directly with both industry and military units. This allows support to be delivered in a more efficient way, from a voluntary perspective,” he says.At the same time, he notes that the Armed Forces and voluntary actors have different roles and frameworks.
“We in the Armed Forces must adhere to systems that ensure control over what we deliver. That is why we complement each other, rather than doing the same thing.
”The Chief of Defence emphasises that learning goes both ways.
“In the Armed Forces, we can learn from Fritt Ukraina in terms of how quickly support can be converted into effect on the ground. At the same time, Fritt Ukraina can draw experience from the Armed Forces related to large volumes and extensive logistics operations. Above all, this is about complementing each other in the support for Ukraine,” he says.
“Fritt Ukraina is a highly worthy recipient of this year’s Sønsteby Prize,” concludes Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen.
Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen and his brother Frode donate the proceeds from the book “Beredt – Defence Capability and Resilience” to Fritt Ukraina. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fritt Ukraina
About the Sønsteby Foundation and the Sønsteby Prize
The Sønsteby Foundation manages the legacy of Gunnar “Kjakan” Sønsteby and works to carry forward the values he stood for: courage, responsibility, decisiveness, and the willingness to stand up against oppression.
Each year, the Foundation awards the Sønsteby Prize to individuals or organisations that have demonstrated outstanding civil courage and a particular commitment to democracy, freedom, and human rights.
The prize aims to highlight values that are just as relevant today as they were during the Second World War, and to honour those who take responsibility and stand up against injustice in our own time.The Sønsteby Prize will be awarded at Akershus Fortress on Friday, 9 January 2026.