Service Agreement with FEBH Signed

“Here there are only young older people,” said Valgerður Sigurðardóttir, chair of the Senior Citizens’ Association of Hafnarfjörður, joking as she signed the association’s service agreement with the Town of Hafnarfjörður yesterday regarding the operation and activities of the Hraunsel community center.

“Yes, we are about to sign an operating agreement, as is done with the largest associations in the town. But the senior citizens’ association has grown a lot in recent years,” said the chair, who has held the position for a decade.

Increase in the association

“It is the expanding generations that are reaching retirement age. Then it feels fitting to join us in the Senior Citizens’ Association – because here we have young older people. But in reality there are three generations that belong to the senior citizens’ group here with us. We have six members who are 100 years old or older,” said Valgerður, adding that one may join the association at age sixty.

“I think a big step has been taken. These are turning points in the history of the association, which will be 58 years old on March 26,” said Valgerður as she signed the operating agreement with the mayor.

The agreement covers facilities for the association’s social activities, but the association pays all operating costs. The town provides 3.5 staff positions, including 1 project manager who oversees daily operations. Hafnarfjörður covers staff and wage-related costs. The town also pays for maintenance and equipment and provides half a million krónur for event management. Additionally, 250 thousand krónur per month go toward projects carried out by the board and committees and for general office operations. The agreement is valid through 2027.

Forward-thinking association nominated for UT awards

The association is forward-thinking, as can be seen among other things from its nomination as a UT-diversity role model for 2025 at the UT conference held last week. The association was nominated for welcoming members in a modern way.

“We are very proud of it, and although we did not receive the award, the biggest tech companies in the country were there. We are now among them, and it attracted a lot of attention,” said Valgerður. “Congratulations, everyone.” This was the nomination text:

The Senior Citizens’ Association in Hafnarfjörður

The association works systematically against loneliness and isolation. Its social activities are self-sustaining. In 2018, the incentive was taken to stop selling coffee and instead offer it in the name of the association. Digital membership cards were introduced in 2023 as an optional choice. In 2024, the association’s activities were presented on its website in Icelandic, English, and Polish. At the same time, it published a weekly schedule of its social activities in Icelandic, English, and Polish. In 2025, a new website was launched based on the old one, with the aim of making it more accessible and simpler. The association aims to meet older people in modern society to ensure that no one is excluded because of language or cultural differences.

Increased support for the association

Valdimar said the Town of Hafnarfjörður was proud to formalize the operating agreement in this way. “There has been support for the association for many years, and now that support is being increased,” he said. The Family Council was unanimous on the matter.

“The work here in this building is exemplary and recognized across the country,” said Valdimar. “This is a big day, and it is wonderful to formalize the cooperation in this agreement.”

Congratulations to everyone on a great association and its achievements!