Nordic LGBTI Fund

Nordic LGBTI Fund is now open for applications. Deadline: 14:00 CET September 30, 2023.  

As of 2021, Nordic Information on Gender Equality (NIKK)  is administering the Nordic LGBTI Fund on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Fund aims to stimulate Nordic co-operation in the LGBTI area within the framework of the strategic supplement to the Nordic Co-Operation Programme on Gender Equality and its priorities.

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.

*Cooperation with independent organisations in Russia (and Belarus) are now made possible, given that the activities are located outside of Russia and the independence of the organisation is confirmed in a specific vetting procedure defined by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

What activities are funded and who can apply?

Funding is granted to projects that constitute Nordic synergy as well as contributions to work for equal rights, treatment and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries:

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

The Nordic LGBTI Fund addresses a broad target group and calls for proposals are open to a variety of activities and organisations including:

• 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.