Further Information

UPDATE: The generous people at UENO. have pledged to match every Euro donated to Frumbjörg from December 16th until December 30th. We send them our deepest thanks and encourage you to take them up on their offer!

Sjálfsbjörg has decided to found the Sjálfsbjörg Innovation Center as a venue for research, innovation and development in the field of health and welfare, particularly in areas related to movement disability and the disabled. The overall aim of the project is to create an institution which encourages innovation and scientific work amongst health professionals and others involved in welfare-related fields. The Center will initially be housed in a 500 square meter property on the fourth floor of the Sjálfsbjörg building, and will cooperate and share facilities with Sjálfsbjörg’s other services.

Sjálfsbjörg has signed partnership agreements with Innovation Center Iceland, Reykjavik University, Klak Innovit and Karolina Fund, and this cooperation will undoubtedly be of great value to the Frumbjorg Center.

There has long been a need for a venue for entrepreneurial and innovative work in the field of welfare and health technology. Disabled individuals often have little in the way of facilities or instruction to help them in pursuing their projects and interests. This is the case in the fields of research and development, and also applies to work on software-based solutions. Sjálfsbjörg would like to change this for the better by encouraging active participation in the development of solutions to improve the quality of life of disabled individuals. Physical accessibility can only form a part of the solution; equal access to education, information and employment is also crucial.

The importance of welfare-related technologies will only increase in the coming years. The elderly population will continue to grow, as we have already seen in neighbouring European countries. The average lifespan of Europeans has increased while fertility has plummeted. This has escalated the need for caretaking and special services, and public demand for such services will surely only grow in size and scope. The power of medicine and modern technology is greater than ever before, as is their potential for providing solutions to welfare-related problems.

The role of the Sjálfsbjörg Innovation Center will be multi-faceted, but at its core it will serve as a venue for research, innovation and entrepreneurial activities in the field of welfare technology. It will also provide an accessible way for disabled individuals to take part in diverse innovative activities, fostering participation and bolstering employment opportunities.