With the Andersen bicentenary as platform, the Bikuben Foundation established the Hans Christian Andersen abc Foundation in April 2004 with the aim of addressing illiteracy worldwide.

Special emphasis was given to children, young women and ethnical minorities in developing countries. The foundation also sponsors projects related to teacher training, school attendance, educational exchange programmes and symposiums as well as projects that enhance professional skills and expertise.
Current projects sponsored by the Hans Christian Andersen abc Foundation include:

* A literacy project for children in Guatemala. Read more here.
* ‘Sidewalk schools’ for child labourers in Bangladesh. Read more here.
* A school project for street children in Egypt. Read more here.

Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors
The Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors, formerly engaged in bicentennial activities, will henceforth be assigned to the Hans Christian Andersen abc Foundation. The Andersen Ambassadors will be encouraged to endorse literacy initiatives undertaken worldwide in the name of Hans Christian Andersen.