Social Entrepreneurship

Beyond our investment activities, Constantia has supported initiatives driven by the desire to creating lasting social impact.

Black-and-white portrait of a woman in a light room

Annette Thommessens Hederspris

Dignity,
defended.

“Human rights are not a favour, but a responsibility.”
— Anette A. Thommessen (1932-1994)

Social - refugee rights, human rights and inclusion

For a more just and inclusive society.

An annual honorary award carrying forward the work of NOAS’ founder.

NOAS

Social - pro bono consulting

Pro bono support for social entrepreneurs.

Prospera Foundation

Three colleagues talking at a desk in a bright office
Constantia role
Co-founder; Chairman
Founded
2011
Network
~1,800 pro bono
Delivered
280 projects
Donated services
~NOK 200 million
Pro bono hours
~137,000

Constantia has supported Prosperastiftelsen from an early stage, with Christian Thommessen co-founding the Foundation serving as Chairman for ten years. We are particularly proud of having contributed to building a model that mobilises professional expertise for organisations working to solve important social challenges.

Prosperastiftelsen is a Norwegian foundation dedicated to strengthening the non-profit sector by donating professional expertise to organisations and social entrepreneurs that would otherwise struggle to access it.

The foundation pioneered the concept of “competence-based volunteering” in Norway: experienced professionals volunteer their skills, working in multidisciplinary teams to help non-profit organisations solve specific strategic, organisational, financial or communication challenges.

Founded in 2011 and developed into a national organisation, Prospera now has a network of approximately 1,800 pro bono professionals across Norway. Its teams typically work with an organisation for three months, providing expertise entirely free of charge. The scale is remarkable: Prospera reports 480 projects and approximately NOK 200 million of donated professional services, with around 137,000 pro bono hours delivered.

Annette Thommessen and Nora Løke Thommessen have also contributed as pro bono consultants in Prospera projects, putting their professional experience to work for organisations and social entrepreneurs.

Social - refugee rights, human rights and inclusion

For a more just and inclusive society.

NOAS

Black-and-white portrait of a woman in a light room
Impact theme
Social - human rights
Founded
1984 (NOAS), 1994 (fund)
Constantia role
Board / annual reward

Annette A. Thommessen (1932–1994) founded the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) in 1984 and became one of Norway’s most prominent advocates for the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. Following her death, the Annette Thommessen Memorial Fund and its annual honorary award were established to carry forward her commitment.

The Annette Thommessens Hederspris recognises individuals and organisations who have made an exceptional contribution to strengthening the rights and dignity of asylum seekers and refugees, and to increasing understanding of their situation.

Recent recipients illustrate the breadth of the award. Nataliya Yeremeyeva was recognised for her tireless support for Ukrainian refugees in Norway, while Kristina Quintano was honoured for her long-standing documentation of the experiences and human-rights violations faced by people fleeing across the Mediterranean. Karpe and Stiftelsen PAF received the award for their work through music, public engagement and financial support for refugees, asylum seekers and minority communities in Norway.

The Thommessen family has maintained a close connection to NOAS and the award for decades. Christian Thommessen, Nora Løke Thommessen and several other members of the Thommessen family have served on the board of the Annette Thommessen Memorial.

Social & climate

A healthy and sustainable global food system.

EAT Foundation

Person preparing vegetable dishes at a wooden table
Constantia role
Chair (Christian)
Established
2016
Key inititative
EAT-Lancet Commission
Platforms
Stockholm Food Forum
Status
Wind-down from 2026

Christian Thommessen served as Chairman of the EAT Foundation during the period 2024-2026.

The EAT Foundation was a Norwegian-founded global non-profit organisation working to transform food systems through science, collaboration and action — at the intersection of human health, climate, nature and equity. Established as a foundation in 2016, EAT became an influential global convening and agenda-setting platform, bringing together scientists, policymakers, business leaders and other stakeholders around the transformation of food systems.

One of its most important achievements was the EAT-Lancet Commission, which brought together leading scientists to establish science-based targets and pathways for healthier and more sustainable food systems. EAT subsequently supported initiatives including the Blue Food Assessment and the Food Systems Economics Commission. EAT also created international platforms for dialogue and collaboration, including the Stockholm Food Forum, and worked to translate scientific knowledge into policy and practical action.

Following the successful launch of the EAT Lancet report no.2 at the Stockholm Food Forum in late 2025 the Norwegian EAT Foundation began an orderly wind-down in 2026. Changes in the international donor environment made the Board conclude that the existing funding and organisational model was no longer sufficiently resilient for the Foundation's ambitions. At the same time, efforts have been made to preserve and continue selected flagship initiatives in new organisational forms.