The aim with Demos is to establish networks and facilitate meetings between civil society organisations. The programme fosters cross-border engagement 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.
From 2024, there will be three modules under the Demos umbrella: Demos Network, Demos Culture and Demos Learning
Please note that the different modules have different application windows! Check which programme your project belongs to so that you can make sure you submit your application as part of the right application process. The application window for Demos Culture is below:
Application periods
What is eligible for funding?
Demos Culture funds projects that promote cultural collaboration in the Nordics with a special focus on orchestral co-operation, musical interaction, and literature
Project objectives:
- Orchestral co-operation – this includes various forms of projects whereby orchestras from at least three Nordic countries work together
- Musical collaboration – this includes various forms of projects where organisations from at least three Nordic countries work together to create a joint music project
- Projects that help to improve knowledge of Nordic literature – this includes various forms of projects where collaborative organisations aim to promote and elevate existing Nordic literature
The projects can include:
- Joint collaborations, meetings, conferences, workshops, staff exchanges, courses, and training;
- 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:
- New literary production
- 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)
- Commercial projects or commercial activities intended to generate a financial profit
- Activities that have already been completed. The earliest start date for activities funded by the programme is eight weeks after the application deadline
Other Demos modules:
Who can apply?
Funding can be applied for by 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 or co-operatives, and 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.
Please note that private individuals cannot apply for funding.
How much funding can we get?
Demos grants project funding of between EUR 7,000 and EUR 100,000. A minimum of 15% of the total project funding must come from another source. The total funding from Demos and other pan-Nordic forms or funding may not exceed 85% of the budget. Other pan-Nordic forms of funding include the Nordic Culture Fund and NordPlus.
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.
Create a good budget Preview application form 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 an advantage if the funding contributes to forging of new contacts within the field and to the establishment of contact with other organisations. It is also an advantage if the project lays the foundation for more long-term collaborations in Nordic civil society.
Nordic added value
The projects should contribute to 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 delivery of Vision 2030, which is the Nordic prime ministers’ vision for the Nordic Region to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. In the action plan for Vision 2030, civil society is specifically mentioned in objective 11:
The Nordic Council of Ministers will give Nordic civil society, especially children and young people, a louder voice and greater participation in Nordic co-operation, as well as increase their knowledge of the languages and cultures of neighbouring countries.
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).
Frequently asked questions about the funding programmes Preview application form Go to the application portal
