The Fund assesses Nordic relevance on the basis of, for example, how:

• the project is created and implemented by stakeholders with a Nordic base and in collaboration with others outside the Region
• the project actors represent a geographical spread in the Nordic Region
• the project extends beyond a national perspective and promotes openness and tolerance
• the project positions the Nordic Region in the world and the world in the Nordic Region

The Fund assesses the project’s quality and development on the basis of, for example, its:

• artistic or cultural content and objectives
• local, regional, national or international significance
• long-term artistic or cultural ambitions and visions
• methodology and plan for implementation.

The Fund assesses the quality and substance of the project’s Nordic co-operation on the basis of, for example:

• the commitment of participating partners, the target groups, and the extent to which the project is embedded in relevant environments
• whether there is sufficient co-funding for the project, which is considered a key part of its structure for co-operation
• how the project promotes co-operation.

Projects must have an appropriate level of co-funding. This is a key criterion in the assessment of the level of support a project enjoys at national level. The higher the amount applied for, the more self-financing and funding from other sources the Fund expects. In practice, this means that only 50% of the total funding for a project may be from the Culture Fund and maximum 85% from the various Nordic funding bodies.

You can apply for max. DKK 500,000 but please look at previous awards to gauge what constitutes a typical amount before applying. See more under Funded Projects.

Voluntary work may form part of the self-funding component of the project. The application budget must quantify the scale of any voluntary work.

Grants may be used for administrative and wage costs, as long as these are directly linked to the project.

 If you apply for funding, for example, for an annual event, and you have applied before, the Fund will assess the application from a development perspective. This means that we will emphasise the project’s originality or innovative nature, in both form and content, as well as in terms of communication and audience engagement.

We support projects outside the Nordic Region if they are deemed mutually beneficial for the organiser and Nordic stakeholders in the arts and culture.

Active and competent international partners ought to contribute resources to the project, either financially or in kind. We also assess the Nordic relevance and level of interaction involved in the project. In addition, we assess the projects’ quality, planned follow-up activities, impact and level of general external interest.

Grants are usually awarded for the event’s additional Nordic costs, e.g. travel expenses, fees and administration for workshops, performances, concerts, exhibitions, festivals, conferences, research projects, etc.