Norwegian crowdfunding phenomenon “kronerulling” comes to the rescue for Urnes Stave Church

Urnes is the oldest of Norway’s stave churches. Recently, important work on this ancient church was almost stopped because it didn’t receive sufficient state funds. Then – the big-hearted Norwegian crowdfunding phenomenon known as “kronerulling” stepped in to save the day.

“Kronerulling” has prevented work on the Urnes Stave Church, where a World Heritage Center has been planned, from coming to a halt.

World Heritage Center at Urnes Stave Church saved

When the prospective World Heritage Center didn’t receive enough support from the state budget, there was a risk that the entire process would stop, writes Nationen.

But now, funds have fortunately been donated as a result of the so-called kronerulling.

Luster Municipality has given NOK 700,000 for the project, and a private donor has provided NOK 600,000. This money ensures a whole 60% of the total budget needed for the Center building. The National Trust of Norway (Fortidsminneforeningen), which leads the project, expects to cover the remaining amount with its own funds.

The kronerulling phenomenon

So, what exactly is “kronerulling”? Kronerulling is a socio-economic phenomenon that occurs when one or more people, or a group, require funds for a certain cause.

An individual or organization can kick off a kronerulling. All that’s needed is a donation of as little as NOK 1 to get the ball (or, should we say, the krone) rolling and to encourage other people to show their support, too.

This sort of spontaneous crowdfunding can be used in diverse situations – from supporting lawyer fees for a defendant, across preventing bankruptcy for an organization, to cultural projects such as Urnes’. Most often, kronerulling happens in philanthropic situations or simply for a good cause – just like this one.

Urnes Stave Church, full of history

Urnes is Norway’s oldest stave church, built around 1130. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, along with Versailles, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Grand Canyon.

It guards a multitude of histories within its walls, from Celtic art, across Viking construction traditions, to Romanesque spatial structures.

For more on Norway’s fascinating stave churches, head to our dedicated article here.

Source: ©️ NTB Scanpix / #NorwayTodayTravel

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