Help a lot Award

The Help a lot Award is our way of recognising and supporting efforts that reduce involuntary loneliness, strengthen community bonds, and promote better public health. Through this initiative, If provides financial backing to projects in the Nordics with the potential to create meaningful impact by helping more people feel connected, valued, and part of something bigger.

Winning projects receive funding to help bring their ideas to life. At the same time, this award aims to raise awareness and inspire others to take action through innovative solutions.

Together, we can shape a future where no one feels alone.

About the Help a lot Award

Our promise to our customers is to "help a lot," and this is something we strive for in every interaction with our customers. Helpfulness is at the heart of our culture, and we want to use our position as the largest insurance provider in the Nordics to create real change at a societal level.
Preventive health is one of our key focus areas, and we’ve observed a worrying trend across the Nordics: public health is declining, and involuntary loneliness is one of the major underlying causes of both mental and physical health issues.

In a time when opportunities to connect seem limitless, more and more people are experiencing isolation and loneliness. While loneliness is often linked to mental health challenges, its connection to serious conditions like heart disease and stroke is less well-known.

But there’s hope. Strong social relationships not only support mental and physical health throughout life—they can even increase life expectancy, according to the WHO.

The Help a lot Award gives us a way to take action and contribute to improving public health. While there’s no insurance against loneliness, we can empower others to make a big difference.
We call it: "Together Against Loneliness."

Contact

For press materials or media enquiries, please contact us here .

If you have any questions about your application or experience technical issues, please check our FAQ or email us at helpalotaward@if.se.

FAQ

What is the Help a lot Award?

The Help a lot Award is an initiative created by the insurance company If. It will launch in 2026 in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, and in 2027 in Norway, with the goal of supporting projects that reduce involuntary loneliness, strengthen communities, and promote better public health. Through this award, If provides financial backing to initiatives that help more people feel connected, included, and valued.

What is involuntary loneliness?

Involuntary loneliness is a subjective feeling that isn’t necessarily connected to how many people you have around you. A common definition, used by the EU, describes it as a negative feeling that your social network isn’t sufficient—either in quality, quantity, or both. High-quality relationships are vital to our mental and physical health, as well as our overall well-being. According to a report from the WHO, loneliness can lead to both physical and mental health problems, including depression, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.

Data from If’s Nordic Health Report shows that 82% of adults in the Nordics experience negative stress to varying degrees, often triggered by personal or private life challenges. 4 in 10 report that mental health issues have impacted their ability to work, which significantly increases the risk of social exclusion and involuntary loneliness early in life.

In addition to conducting research on stress and workplace health across the Nordics, If in 2026 surveyed the public about loneliness and social exclusion. The findings revealed that half of Nordic residents aged 18–79 felt lonely or socially excluded in the preceding year. The most affected group was young adults aged 18–29.

Involuntary loneliness is one of the defining public health and societal challenges of our time—but it can be prevented.

Many agencies in the Nordics, including Folkhälsomyndigheten, Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos , Helsedirektoratet, and Social- og Boligstyrelsen, are recognising loneliness as a pressing issue to address and prevent.

What is the prize amount?

The award provides financial support for initiatives aimed at reducing involuntary loneliness. If offers funding of up to 1 million SEK per country (or 1 million NOK in Norway, 1 million DKK in Denmark, 100,000 € in Finland) to help bring ideas to life that foster connection and belonging.

Applicants need to outline their planned activities and the expected costs involved. The prize amount may vary depending on each project’s needs, but only one winner per country will be selected each year.

Who can apply?

We’re looking for organisations or companies with a specific project and a clear idea that provides meaningful benefits to society. The focus should be on reducing involuntary loneliness and bringing people together.

Your project should have a solid plan covering one to two years, a clearly defined target group, and activities requiring financial support. This is where the Help a lot Award can make a difference—offering funding of up to 1 million SEK/NOK/DKK or €100,000 to help turn your idea into reality and combat involuntary loneliness.

When does the application period open?

Applications for the Help a lot Award will open in May.

Do you need to be a citizen of the country you’re applying in?

You don’t need to be a citizen of the specific country, but the organisation or company submitting the application must have a registered organisation number and a bank account in that country.

When will you know if you’ve been selected as a finalist?

Our local jury groups will select three finalists per country. Their decision will be announced in January 2027.

How is the winner chosen?

The jury in each country selects the finalists and one winner per country. Among the jurors, one representative from If carries the vote of our employees, who can choose their favourite finalist.

When and how often is the winner announced?

The winners of the Help a lot Award will be announced for the first time in March 2027 in each participating country, and then annually every March.

What happens if your entry is selected as a finalist?

If your project is chosen as a finalist, we’ll contact you to collaborate on content showcasing the finalists. This material will be shared when the finalists are announced in January 2027, and you’ll also be able to use and share it as appropriate.

Employees at If will have the chance to vote for their favourite finalist, and their collective vote will be submitted to the jury through If’s representative in each country.

Additionally, you’ll be invited to attend a ceremony where the winner will be announced.

What happens if your entry wins?

The winner will be announced during the award ceremony in March 2027, where all finalists will be invited to attend. If your entry wins, you’ll be contacted by If after the ceremony to receive the prize funding and to coordinate any communications related to your project, in agreement with If.

Additionally, we’ll follow up with you later to hear about your project’s progress and how the funding has contributed to making a difference.

In which countries is the award given?

In its first year (2027), the award will be presented in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. In the second year (2028), Norway will also be included in the initiative.