In Short
The Faroe Islands is a small nation located in the North Atlantic, between Scotland and Iceland. With its small population and largely pristine nature the islands have long been a hidden gem of Northern Europe. There are two traditionally important trades in the Faroe islands, fishing and sheep herding, which still play an important role in the Faroese society and economy today. Just like all over the globe these livelihoods are subject to major disruptions due to concerns over climate change and sustainability. The Faroe Islands Project aims to cover the effect these changes are having on the people and communities behind these traditional ways of life.
The Faroe Islands is largely in the mercy of the forces of nature due to its location which will provide subtle tell tale signs of future environmental impacts.The project will look into the delicate natural microcosm of the Faroe Islands and the unique relationship the Faroese have with the environment to try to understand the effects climate change will have on our everyday lives. The Faroe Islands, where these traditional livelihoods still form a core part of the community, will also give us clues as to what the future of a more sustainable and natural food production might look like.
I plan to stay in the Faroe Islands for three weeks, spending time with people within both the sheep herding and fishing communities. I will be gathering material in a variety of mediums for the final piece which will consist of a multimedia online experience and a print object. These two elements will form a whole and both will contain material specifically designed for the outlet, embracing the native forms of both online and print journalism.
Why it matters
The project will aim to gain insight in to consequences of large scale environmental changes disrupting traditional lifestyles and how it affects the people and communities involved. Climate change is one of the greatest global threats today and the need for sustainability has already affected our everyday lives in major ways.
The complex issues of our food production and consumption are often reported on a more global level, focusing on the large scale. That is why I want to discover the human stories of the people who are directly affected by the uncertainty of these traditional livelihoods, shifting the focus to the smaller scale.
As our news cycles grow shorter and growingly focused on breaking news Slow Journalism projects like the Faroe Islands Project are increasingly important because they provide a deeper understanding of the issues and allow journalists to take the time to record genuine human stories.
The reason we're here - I need your help!
Traveling to the remote corners of the world is never easy - nor cheap! Though the Faroese capital, Torshavn, is reachable by plane only two airlines fly the route, driving ticket prices up for us adventurous souls. There are currently only two hostels in the Faroe Islands and to get around between the islands I will have to use both the local ferry and helicopter services. On top of this I will need weatherproof gear to protect myself and my camera from the unpredictable Faroese nature. I quickly realised all these expenses were piling up, which is why I started this campaign. Now you get a chance to support young, longform journalism!
Below you can find a breakdown of my budget for the whole three weeks.
- Flights: 700€
- Accommodation in a hostel: 650€
- Local transportation: 350€
- Daily food/necessities budget 28€/day: 600€
- Equipment (weatherproof shoes, jacket, trousers, and backpack): 450€
Great perks!
No contribution is too small and all of them come with a personal way of me thanking you. When you make a donation to my project I want you to receive something great in exchange for your support. Here you can find the details on all the different perks I've prepared for you. Though if you decide to become a part of the Faroe Islands Project, there might be some surprise options just for you!
Thank you Message
A personal thank you message from me for supporting the project. You can choose to go the traditional way with an email or if you want to flaunt your support for independent journalism get your thank you on Twitter instead!
Thank you Note
Get a special handwritten thank you note with an original photo. These will be arriving a bit later than the message as they will have an image from the Faroe Islands printed in special postcard format.
Thank you Note + Access to the Blog
Get the lovely handwritten thank you note with an original photo from the Faroe Islands plus access to a private blog where I will be sharing updates on the project, exclusive content, and peeks behind the scenes.
Photostrip + Access to the Blog
You will get 6 original photos (6cm x 6cm) printed on a strip of high quality fine art photo paper. All strips will be numbered. On top of this get access to a private blog where I will be sharing updates on the project, exclusive content, and peeks behind the scenes.
Medium sized print + Access to the Blog
You'll get a beautiful print (12cm x 18cm) of an original photograph from the Faroe Islands Project printed on high quality fine art photo paper. All prints will be numbered. On top of this get access to a private blog where I will be sharing updates on the project, exclusive content, and peeks behind the scenes.
Large sized print + Access to the Blog
You'll get a stunning print (20cm x 30cm) of an original photograph from the Faroe Islands Project printed on high quality fine art photo paper. All prints will be numbered. On top of this get access to a private blog where I will be sharing updates on the project, exclusive content, and peeks behind the scenes.
Supporter Pack
If you really want to support the Faroe Islands Project then this is your pack. You'll get a large (20cm x 30cm) print as described above as well as access to the private blog. On top of this you will receive a signed copy of the Final Print Object which will contain amazing photography and journalism!
Supporter Pack+
If you want to support the Faroe Islands Project and be able to show your support around town then get the Supporter Pack+. You will get everything in the Supporter Pack plus an "I Support Slow Journalism" tote bag.
Premium Supporter Pack
This pack is for those of you on top of wanting to support slow journalism really love great photography. With the Premium Supporter pack you will get everything in the Supporter Pack+ and two additional prints (20cm x 30cm) of beautiful original photograph from the Faroe Islands Project.
Sponsor Pack
The ultimate way to support the Faroe Islands Project is to become a sponsor! The Sponsor Pack includes:
• Access to private Blog
• Two copies of the Final Print Object
• Two supporter tote bags
• Three large prints of original photography from the Faroe Islands Project
AND
• Your name or logo listed as a sponsor in the thank you section of the Final Print Object!
Spread the word!
If donating really isn't for you, don't worry, there are other ways you can help support creative, independent journalism and the Faroe Islands Project. The easiest thing is to SHARE THE LINK on social media and TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the project. With a simple post you can spread the word and help the project reach it's goal!
About me
I am a postgraduate student currently on the MA Arts and Lifestyle Journalism course at London College of Communication. I have a background in photography from my BA which I did in Paris. I'm originally from Finland but have lived and travelled abroad most of my life!
The Faroe Islands Project is the Final Major Project for my MA degree and will also be on display at the LCC Degree Show in November 2017.