The aim with Demos is to establish networks and facilitate meetings between civil society organisations. The programme fosters cross-border engagement and co-operation between the Nordic countries and contributes to a good understanding of language and culture in the Nordics. The partnerships will help the Nordic Region on its way to becoming the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.
A strong and dynamic civil society is a supporting pillar of Nordic democracy and plays a vital role in giving Nordic citizens the opportunity to channel their voices and interests outside of political organisations.
Please note that the previous modules called Demos Culture, Demos Learning and Demos Network have been merged into Demos. Civil society organisations within all areas of society can apply for funding in both application rounds.
The application window for Demos is below:
Application periods
What is eligible for funding?
Demos funds projects and networks in which civil society comes together and participates in, for example, cultural, political, or social activities. Funding can be granted for most forms of collaborative project. Please note that only civil society organisations can apply for funding.
The projects can include:
- Joint collaborations, concerts, meetings, conferences, workshops, staff exchanges, products, courses, and training;
- facilitation and exchange of ideas and knowledge between different civil society organisations in the Nordic Region;
- The sharing of resources and expertise for opinion-driven initiatives or co-operation around joint events and similar; and
- Operating costs, provided that these relate to the project.
Projects not eligible for funding:
- Commercial projects or commercial activities intended to generate a financial profit
- Regular operations, that is to say operating expenses necessary to run the organisation (e.g. production costs, purchase of equipment and furniture, or payment of salaries that aren’t directly linked to the project or activities that form part of the application)
- Activities that have already been completed (the earliest start date for activities funded by the programme is ten weeks after the application deadline)
Who can apply?
Funding can be applied for by nonprofit civil society organisations in all areas of society. Funding can be applied for by associations, foundations, charities, civic organisations, interest organisations, labour organisations, faith communities, social enterprises and other forms of NGOs.
Demos funds projects in which at least three Nordic countries are participating.
- Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Åland are considered as separate countries in this context.
To be able to apply for funding, the organisation must be established and registered in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Åland). Although the project may cover additional partners who do not operate in the Nordic Region, at least three Nordic countries must be represented. The partner is considered to represent the country or area in which the organisation is registered.
- The organisation and partners must have a democratic structure and operations
- The organisation must not owe taxes or fees to the state and must not have applied for bankruptcy or be in liquidation
- Partners must be non profit organisations
- Please note that individuals cannot apply for funding.
How much funding can we get?
Demos will grant up to EUR 50,000 in project funding in 2025. A minimum of 15% of the total project funding must come from another source.
The maximum amount of funding from Nordic co-operation (e.g. Nordic Council of Ministers, Nordic Culture Fund, NAPA, Nordplus, Nordisk Film og TV Fond and Nordic Culture Point) may not exceed 85% of the project’s total budget. Bilateral or national funding does not count as pan-Nordic in this context.
Co-funding can consist of in-kind financing, i.e. the value of goods or services can be taken into account in the budget. Voluntary work may also be credited in the budget as in-kind financing. The calculations must be itemised in the application’s budget, and the amount must be considered reasonable in relation to the project as a whole.
If an organisation has been granted Demos administrative funding (a special funding call made in 2024 ) the project application must clearly state how the application relates to the administrative funding in order to avoid duplicate funding.
Create a good budget Compulsory budget appendix (Excel)How are applications assessed?
The overall goals and a definite timetable must be clearly defined and included in the application. An assessment is made based on the above criteria and the degree to which the project successfully conveys the following:
Long-term perspective and new collaborations
The aim of the activities must be to develop collaboration and/or new ways of working together. It is seen as positive if the project contributes to new collaborations or interactions between civil society stakeholders. It is an advantage if the project lays the foundation for more long-term collaborations in Nordic civil society.
Nordic added value
The projects must help the participating organisations and individual participants to forge a wider Nordic network of contacts in which they can learn from each other and gain greater knowledge of other Nordic countries and areas and their cultures and languages.
Vision 2030
The projects must contribute to the achievement of Vision 2030, the Nordic countries’ joint vision for the Nordic Region to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The project should contribute to the fulfillment of sub-goal of greater collaboration and knowledge exchange for actors from within civil society in the Nordic Region. Additionally, the project may also contribute to the fulfillment of other sub-goals, defined by the Ministers of Nordic cooperation for the period of 2025–2030.
Sustainable development, gender equality, and a children’s rights and youth perspective
The assessment of applications is also influenced by the way in which the projects take into account sustainable development, gender equality, and a children’s and youth perspective. These cross-sectoral perspectives must permeate the Nordic Council of Ministers’ work as a whole in the delivery of Vision 2030. Read the document here: Nordic Council of Ministers’ guidance for working with sustainable development, gender equality, and a children’s rights and youth perspective.
Please note that the application deadline for all programmes is at 15:59, Finnish time (GMT +02:00).
All applicants will recieve a decision approximately 10 weeks after the deadline for application submission.
Frequently asked questions about the funding programmes Preview application form Go to the application portal