The applications covered a wide range of artistic forms including film, literature, photography, sound-art, and poetry. The projects explored the concept of belonging in a variety of ways.
“The highest-scoring projects submitted some robust proposals and took a hands-on approach to exploring what it means to belong,” says Randi Samsonsen, chair of the expert group responsible for funding decisions.
“Another common feature of the projects awarded funding is that they create opportunities for the children and young people involved to meet in person, allowing ideas and experiences to emerge through real-life encounters. For the projects selected, the emphasis is on the quality of interaction, rather than simply the number of participants,” Samsonsen explains.
Examples of projects granted funding
Nordic Lunch Stories is a youth-led environmental arts project bringing together 12–15-year-olds from Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. Through sound, storytelling, performing arts, and food culture, the young participants collaborate to create an artistic residency, a multilingual soundscape, and a public presentation exploring how we can live more sustainably in our day-to-day lives.
Nordic Film Path is a three-year film programme for young people aged 16–23 from rural areas of Sweden, Iceland, and Greenland. Following a successful first camp in Sweden in 2026, the programme’s second year will take participants to Akureyri, where they will make films and strengthen the Nordic connections.
Advice from the expert group
Volt has two application rounds each year, with the next round opening in March 2027. For those considering applying, the expert group offers the following advice:
- With limited funding available, it is particularly important that applications provide the experts with clear information. If key questions – the whens, the wheres, and the hows – are not answered clearly, it becomes more difficult to assess applications and make funding decisions.
- Don’t be afraid to share your application with someone who is less familiar with the project to check whether it’s clear and easy to understand.
- It’s also important to ensure that the application and project budget are consistent and convey the same information.