Volt

You can apply for funding from Volt for projects relating to the cultural and artistic creativity of children and young people.

• Funding may be granted for all areas of the arts, including film, literature, the performing arts, the visual arts, and cultural heritage, provided that the application criteria are met.
• The project must be conducted in collaboration with participants from at least three Nordic countries. In this context, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Åland are considered as Nordic countries.

Projects can include:

• the production of works or other initiatives featuring creative content
• the introduction of an exchange or long-term co-operation for the target group
• activities that create dialogue, discussion, or debate around the Nordic languages, art, and culture.

Funding is not available for:

• operating costs
• sports activities
• study trips or teaching scholarships
• scout activities
• political activities
• commercial projects or commercial activities intended to generate a financial profit
• projects completed or commenced before a decision is made regarding funding and subsequently sent to the applicant.

Project duration

• The earliest start date for activities funded by the programme is six weeks after the application deadline.
• Projects may run during the year in which the application is submitted and the following two calendar years (i.e. the application year plus two additional years).

Eligible applicants are:

• Individuals
• Organisations, associations, and institutions
• Applicants do not need to belong to the target group themselves but should have experience of working with children and young people.
• If you are under the age of 18, you can present your idea for a project to an association or organisation, or to an adult who can help you develop and implement the project.

To be granted funding from Volt, the project must be conducted in collaboration with participants from at least three Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, or Åland).

• Projects can be implemented in one or more of these countries.
• Although projects are welcome to have partners that don’t live in the Nordic Region, the programme will not cover their costs.
• The applicant must be resident in the Nordic Region but does not require Nordic citizenship.

• Project funding from Volt up to EUR 35,000 is available.
• Funding of up to EUR 7,000 may be awarded with full funding.
• For applications requesting higher sums, funding from Volt may account for a maximum of 70% of the project’s costs.

Co-financing

At least 30% of the entire project must be covered by other funding, which may consist of grants from other funders, volunteer work, or the organiser’s own resources (known as funding in kind).

• 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.

Please note that the mandatory budget template must be used. Clearly specify the costs for which funding is being requested.

• The budget attachment must be prepared using the budget template provided via the relevant link.
• Upload relevant documentation relating to the planned partnership, such as an agreement or letter of intent.

• Applications are evaluated by a group of four experts.
• The focus is on the cultural and artistic creativity among children and young people, as well as their participation in the various stages of the project.
• The application must meet the programme’s overall criteria.

Assessment criteria

1. Involvement of children and young people

• The project is aimed at children and young people up to the age of 25.
• The goal is to provide participants with opportunities for creative work, participation, and shared decision-making.
• Pedagogical methods and processes are assessed based on how they contribute to achieving the project’s objectives.

1. Cultural dimension

• The creativity and artistic expression of children and young people are central.
• Creative activities can encourage an interest in art, culture, language, and society in the Nordic Region.
• Projects should be inclusive and developmental, and participants should have influence within the Nordic cultural scene.

1. Nordic collaborative dimension

• The project should promote joint creative work, networks, and exchanges between children and young people in the Nordic Region.
• The project should ideally initiate new and long-term collaborations.
• At least three Nordic countries must be involved.

1. Language dimension

• The project may contribute to young people’s understanding of the Nordic languages and promote interest in linguistic diversity and communication across language boundaries.
• Language may be included as:
  • a working tool
  • an artistic form of expression
  • a specific theme
  • a marker of identity or a carrier of culture.

1. Sustainability dimension

• Projects must contribute to the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Vision 2030 for a sustainable and integrated Nordic Region.
• The assessment may include:
  • project format and content
  • choice of transport and resources
  • gender balance and diversity.

Strategic direction

You may also wish to consult the following documents to find out more about the strategic priorities in Nordic co-operation underpinning the assessment process:

• Nordic Council of Ministers’ Vision 2030
• Nordic Council of Ministers’ Co-operation Programme for Culture 2025–2030: Together for a creative, sustainable, and visible Nordic Region
• The Nordic Council of Ministers’ policy for mainstreaming sustainable development, gender equality, and a children’s rights and youth perspective.

Make sure you always mention your funders in all project communication – together we demonstrate that a form of funding is required.

• Projects that have been granted funding from Volt must use the Nordic Council of Ministers’ logo.

Download the logo and get tips on how you can refer to us in texts and on social media here.