Hello!
My name is Nadezhda, I’m from Russia — but please read to the end :)
I was born on the Kola Peninsula in Russia (on the border with Norway and Finland) and lived there for 30 years. This region, as well as the entire Arctic zone, holds a very special place in my heart.
Since childhood, I have been watching the Northern Lights — I literally grew up under them. They remain my favorite natural phenomenon to this day. My love for the North and the Aurora inspired me to create my own project — https://polarlights.pro — a website and mobile app that help people track the Northern Lights and never miss the moment they appear in the sky.
PolarLights has grown into an international project, attracting visitors from Russia, the USA, the Netherlands, China, Germany, and many other countries. On its busiest day, the platform recorded over 6,500 page views. For me, it's more than just a digital product — it's a way to share my love for the Arctic with people around the world.
My goal for the coming year is to expand the project globally and make it truly international, so that everyone who dreams of seeing the Northern Lights can easily find the best time and place for observation.
Your grant is a perfect opportunity for me to exchange experience with representatives of northern countries where the Aurora is also an essential part of life and culture. I’m sure that participating in this program will help me bring the project to a new level and inspire even more people around the world. It would be an amazing opportunity!
My main professional background is in digital marketing and advertising, but the Polarlights project is my personal contribution to the development of Arctic tourism, culture, and appreciation of northern nature.
It’s my child and my soul.
My husband
thermal and electrical engineer
My husband’s name is Nikolay. He is a thermal and electrical engineer. In the past, he managed a production department in one of the largest energy companies and has extensive experience working in the harsh climate of the Arctic zone. He worked with electrical networks ranging from 0.4 kV to 150 kV. Now he is self-employed and not tied to any specific location. Nikolay could be very helpful to the local community, as he can contribute his expertise in the field of electrical energy.
Our children

We have two wonderful children who both love snow and the Northern Lights. Our daughter is in third grade, and our son is in first grade. Both are learning English with an American teacher and are excited to practice their English, make new friends, and discover what everyday life is like for children in another country.

We believe that experiencing a different culture would be incredibly valuable for our children, helping them become more open-minded and curious about the world. We also hope that one day they'll have the opportunity to study abroad and build friendships across borders.
And to be honest, I was supposed to study in Norway after finishing school, but certain circumstances prevented it. I truly believe that with the help of this grant, our family can gain valuable experience that will help us promote the Arctic, contribute to the community where we will live, and create something meaningful for the next generation.
I would be sincerely grateful for the opportunity to participate and for your consideration of my application.

Best regards,
Nadezhda, founder of Polarlights.pro,
Nikolay, energy engineer,
and our children.