The Finnish-Danish Cultural Foundation

NB. The Secretariat will be closed from 29th of June to 4th of August 2024.

The aim of the Finnish-Danish Foundation is to promote relations and cultural exchange between Finland and Denmark and to increase the countries’ mutual awareness and knowledge.

The Foundation provides grants to support projects in different spheres of society and cultural life. Grants are awarded to individuals, organisations and associations. Grants are awarded, for instance, for co-operation in the fields of art and culture, scientific research (especially humanities and social sciences),  study trips by student and pupil groups, and for learning more about either country’s cultural, social and economic conditions. In addition, the Foundation has projects of its own.

The Finnish-Danish Cultural Foundation was founded in 1982.

The Board of the Foundation

The Board of the Foundation consists of seven members. The Finnish members of the Board are appointed by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The Foundation’s delegates representing Finland 2024-2026 are Ambassador Vesa Vasara as Chairman and Managing Director Niina Bergring, Director of Communications Mary Gestrin and Leading Consultant Henrik Möller as members.

The Danish members of the Board are appointed by Udenrigsministeriet in Denmark. The Foundation’s delegates representing Denmark are musician, cultural debater and director Christian Have as Vice chairman and Author and Poet Martin Glaz Serup and former minister Bertel Haarder as members.

The Foundation’s Secretary General is CEO Gunvor Kronman.

For what purpose can I apply for a grant?

The Foundation prioritises projects that aim to:

  • promote cultural exchange and increase mutual understanding between the two countries, and develop the cultural life in those;
  • increase countries’ mutual knowledge of each other as well as increase connections between the countries;
  • increase interest in the Finnish language in Denmark and in the Danish language in Finland;
  • increase people’s awareness of the common history of the two countries and that of the social development that has taken place since then;
  • deal with future challenges and possibilities related to the industry, social development and cultural life of the two countries.

For what kind of projects can I apply for a grant?

The Foundation prioritises projects that:

  • develop further the current collaboration and are seeking new areas/networks/target groups for bilateral exchange in the future;
  • are carried out in those Finnish/Danish regions where the highest benefit value can be reached:
  • create new and have not been carried out before, offer a new perspective and introduce new information and the latest scientific developments from Finland/Denmark and from Finnish-Danish relations;
  • have the opportunity to continue and develop;
  • increase interest in Finland in Danish public debate, and vice versa.

 What grants are not awarded for?

Projects must have a clear bilateral goal. If this goal is not clear from the application, the application will be rejected. Grants are not awarded for projects that have been started or completed before a decision is made by the Foundation. As a main rule, grants are not awarded for  following purposes:

  • technical equipment, material expenses, repair work, construction, monuments or similar;
  • administrative expenses or salaries which are not directly related to the execution of the project;
  • secondary, higher education or other studies covered by a general study grant;
  • exchange studies, internship or student exchange;
  • sports events.

Application guidelines

Please download the application guidelines for general grants. (only in Finnish)

Please see also previously awarded grants under “Awarded Grants”.

Payment of grants

The grantee submits an electronic requisition form via the application system. The grant is to be used within the time period stated in the Board’s decision and a possible extension or an amendment in usage must be applied for in writing.

Apply for a grant here.