Nordic Gender Equality Fund

On 1 March 2023, the annual call for proposals will be open for funding from the Nordic Gender Equality Fund (NIKK). Just over 3 million Danish krone (DKK) will be distributed to various Nordic gender equality projects this year. Deadline for submitting applications is 31 March 2023, 2 p.m. (CET).

Each project must involve at least the three Nordic countries, where the Faroe Islands, Greenland and the Aaland Islands may constitute one of these only. In addition, grants can be awarded to activities that include cooperation in neighbouring areas, i.e. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and north-west Russia*, that also include at least two Nordic countries. The principal applicant should come from a Nordic country or the Faroe Islands, Greenland or the Aaland Islands.

The Nordic Gender Equality Fund finances activities initiated in the same year as the funding is granted and which are completed within two years from the commencement date. Activities commenced before the application deadline are not eligible for funding.

*Please note that the Nordic Council of Ministers have suspended cooperation with Russia. Cooperation with north-west Russian partners within the Nordic Gender Equality Fund is thereby currently not possible. For more information please see norden.org.

What activities are funded and who can apply?

The Nordic Gender Equality Fund funds activities related to gender equality, feminism and masculinity studies, gender equality in the labor market, LGBT rights, the fight against sexual harassment and the prevention of prostitution:

• Staging of gatherings/meetings
• Investigations and inquiries
• Network-building
• Activity projects
• The participation of volunteer organisations in Nordic or international conferences/courses/meetings/gatherings

Applications for funding can be submitted by:

• Volunteer organisations (citizen organisations/not-for-profit organisations)
• Networks
• Government agencies and other public sector activities (such as municipalities, university departments, divisions, etc.)
• Business enterprises (SMEs)
• Other non-commercial actors

Want to check if your idea is similar to previously funded projects? See a list of NIKK-supported projects.

Funding amount and evaluation criteria

The amount applied for should be between EUR 6700 (DKK 50,000) and EUR  66, 900 (DKK 500,000).

Organisations applying for grants need to be able to contribute at least 20 per cent themselves and/or have other sources of finance.  The organisation’s own contribution and/or other sources of funding could come from sponsorship or other financial contributions, voluntary work, participant fees, or indirect costs for example.

Funding will not be given for audits or travel expenses (with the exception of travel expenses for representatives of volunteer organisations/not-for-profit organisations and invited speakers). Funding cannot be provided to cover indirect costs, such as the support organisation’s salaries and other running costs (such as rent, electricity, IT).

Successful applicants may be granted a lower total amount of funding than they have applied for in all or in parts of their applications.

There are five main evaluation criteria for submitted projects:

• The Nordic perspective
• Added value for gender policy
• Sustainability
• Contribution of all project partners to the implementation of the project
• Economic reasonableness

Further information

Further information about the Nordic Gender Equality Fund with detailed criteria for the projects and the application form is available on the NIKK website.