Timeline

1994

MOT's principal founder, Atle Vårvik, gets the idea. Together with Johann Olav Koss he takes the initiative to the project that today is MOT.

Norwegian top athletes are passionate about help strengthening youth's awareness and say yes to take part in the initiative. It starts with a calendar with messages from top athletes to youth. "Make concsious choices" and "Take care of each other" is the common thread.

45,000 calendars are printed and distributed, one per class room in every secondary and upper secondary school in Norway, for free.

Atle visits the first 4th-6th grade school classes and starts testing what today has become MOT's programmes.

Atle has the first talk on what today has become MOT, for the Olympic Academy in Lillehammer.

1995

Atle develops parts of the MOT philosophy and MOT’s educational method.

A number of secondary schools are visited and the first testing on youth is carried out.

1996

The logo is made.

MOT's values are defined: Courage to care – courage to live – courage to say no.

Strategic decision: MOT shall become cool.

1997

MOT is founded by Atle Vårvik, Johann O. Koss, Dag Otto Lauritzen and Rune Bratseth 22. February during the Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim, Norway.

Norwegian top athletes are important MOT ambassadors.

The programme ‘MOT in secondary school’ is launched.

The first 30 MOT coaches who are all recruited from the police force, are educated.

All the teams in the Norwegian premier football league play with the MOT logo on their team shirts.

1998

‘MOT in leisure/sport’ is launched.

The MOT backpack is launched.

1999

‘MOT for parents’ is launched.

2000

‘MOT for teachers’ is launched.

2001

‘Young MOTivator’ is launched.

2002

‘MOT in upper secondary school’ is launched.

‘MOT in secondary school’ undergoes a significant expansion.

2003

The first MOT philosophy book ‘Courage to Live’ is published.

Artists become MOT ambassadors for the first time.

2004

The ‘Courage to Care Day’ is launched.

2005

‘MOT’s Fund for Dreams’ is launched.

2006

‘MOT in upper secondary school’ undergoes a significant expansion.

2007

MOT develops a strategy for strengthening scientific evaluation.

MOT develops a strategy for implementation in schools and local communities.

2008

MOT South Africa is established as an organisation.

2009

The Norwegian Crown Prince’s project ‘Global Dignity Day’ becomes part of MOT.

2010

The ‘MOT Tour’ is launched. Went on for 7 years in Norway.

2011

MOT’s ID centre (MOT camp) is established.

2012

Documentation shows that only half as many 15-year-olds are bullied weekly in Norwegian MOT schools compared to the national average.

2013

MOT Denmark is established as an organisation.

2014

The MOT programme 'School as a Society Builder’ is launched.

2015

MOT Thailand is established as an organisation.

2016

MOT Latvia is established as an organisation.

2017

The MOT upgrade 2017 is launched, the most comprehensive upgrade since MOT's beginning.

2018

The book 'Life and leadership' is published. A documentary about sources of inspiration to the principal founder Atle Vårvik upon creating MOT.

2019

MOT's programmes 'School as a Society Builder', 'Primary School and Kindergarten as Society Builders' and 'Municipality as a Society Builder' are launched globally.

The rough development of MOT's concept and brand profile is finalized.

The world-famous rock band Metallica donates money to MOT.

The MOT logo is updated.

MOT makes the first steps into the US.

130,000 youth take part in MOT's programmes globally.

The original foundation of MOT is divided into two separate legal units: MOT Norway and MOT Foundation.