The following projects have been granted funding from the Nordic LGBTI Fund:

LGBTQI senior issues in the Nordic countries
The project is planning a conference for experts, professionals and representatives from the target group to create a Nordic network to share knowledge, experiences, collaborate and raise the LGBTI perspective in Nordic political processes. Read more about the project here.

Developing training program to support LGBTI+ wellness in school
School environments are undergoing a decline in which hate and violence against LGBTI+ students is increasing. Through this project, teachers and school staff in the Nordic region will have access to training and forums to share experiences and knowledge on how to increase the safety of LGBTI+ students. Read more about the project here.

Trans, labour market, wallet
The project aims to visualise the consequences of discrimination against trans people. A study will be carried out to produce equality data for trans people, with a focus on the labour market and personal finances. The results of the study will be presented in a report and disseminated at a final conference in 2024. Read more about the project here.

The Nordic LGBTI Fund is administered by NIKK on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Information on the 2024 call will be available later this year.

The work to improve the living conditions of LGBTI people is an important part of Nordic co-operation and of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision of becoming the world’s most sustainable and integrated region. Since 2020, the Nordic Council of Ministers has been co-operating to promote equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic region. One part of this work is the Nordic LGBTI Fund, which is administrated by NIKK on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. This autumn, the Fund opens up for applications for the third year in a row.  

Who can apply for funding?  

Dialogue and co-operation are one of the cornerstones of Nordic collaboration. The Nordic LGBTI Fund provides the opportunity for this. The Fund finances projects where at least three organisations, from at least three Nordic countries, collaborate. The call is open to various activities and organisations, such as voluntary organisations, authorities and companies.  

Projects that contribute to Nordic interests and work for equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries can apply for financing from the Fund. A total of approx. 1,2 million DKK will be distributed.  

The activities should start during 2023 and are to be carried out within two years. The funding can be used to develop common methods and new knowledge, and to hold conferences and build networks, etc.  

• Read the guidelines for the Nordic LGBTI Fund  
• Read about the projects granted funding in 2022 

Sign up for our digital Q&A

On 12 September at 14:30 (CET) we will organise a digital meeting via Teams where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the fund and ask your questions about the application. Register here no later than 11 September.

The work to improve the living conditions of LGBTI people is an important part of Nordic co-operation and of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision of becoming the world’s most sustainable and integrated region. Since 2020, the Nordic Council of Ministers has been co-operating to promote equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic region. One part of this work is the Nordic LGBTI Fund, which is administrated by NIKK on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. This autumn, the Fund opens up for applications for the second year in a row. 

Who can apply for funding? 

Dialogue and co-operation are one of the cornerstones of Nordic collaboration. The Nordic LGBTI Fund provides the opportunity for this. The Fund finances projects where at least three organisations, from at least three Nordic countries, collaborate. The call is open to various activities and organisations, such as voluntary organisations, authorities and companies. 

Projects that contribute to Nordic interests and work for equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries can apply for financing from the Fund. A total of approx. 1,5 million DKK will be distributed. 

The activities should start during 2022 and are to be carried out within two years. The funding can be used to develop common methods and new knowledge, and to hold conferences and build networks, etc. 

• Read the guidelines for the Nordic LGBTI Fund 
• Read about the projects granted funding in 2021 
  

Important dates for the Nordic LGBTI Fund 

You need to apply via a form, which will be available from nikk.no during the application period. 

• 1 September – the call opens 
• 30 September – deadline for applications 
• November/December – decisions notified to applicants 
• December – contracts will be signed  
  

Upcoming events within Nordic LGBTI co-operation 

In addition to the work with the Fund, NIKK also contributes to the collaboration by gathering and spreading knowledge. In May, several events within the Nordic co-operation for strengthened LGBTI rights will be arranged. 

On 20–22 May, a conference aiming to enable the exchange of experience and knowledge between Nordic LGBTI organisations will take place in Oslo. The conference is organised by the project Enhancing Nordic LGBT+ organisations capacities amidst an international backlash against LGBT+ rights, financed by the Nordic LGBTI Fund. NIKK will be participating as an observer, to inform about the possibilities with the Fund, and highlight the Nordic LGBTI co-operation. 

On 20 May, NIKK will arrange a network meeting in Oslo for the projects granted funding in 2021. The meeting will give participants the opportunity to present their projects and discuss Nordic co-operation within the LGBTI area. 

*LGBTI is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex. Although the abbreviations used in the various Nordic countries may differ, LGBTI is the acronym used in all official Nordic co-operation as it is equivalent to what is used in other international organisations. 

The fund is a part of the new Nordic co-operation on improving conditions for LGBTI people. NIKK is tasked to administrate the fund. It opens for applications for funding September 1 2021. 

The Fund finances projects in which at least three organisations from at least three of the Nordic countries will cooperate to promote equal rights, treatment and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries. Projects that aim to respond in various ways to promote equal rights for LGBTI people, contribute new knowledge and promote exchanges of experience or which manifest and develop Nordic cooperation can apply for grants from the Fund. 

All information about the fund is now gathered in a message available in English, Finnish, Icelandic och Swedish. 

The strategy for new Nordic co-operation on improving conditions for LGBTI people will be put into effect in 2021. Part of this work is the new Fund, which aims to promote Nordic co-operation in the LGBTI area.  

“LGBTI people should be able to live free, open and good lives in the Nordic countries. The Nordic LGBTI Fund is an important part of achieving this. The Fund is a unique way of supporting work for change in the Nordic countries in the LGBTI area,” says Thomas Blomqvist, Finland’s Minister for Nordic Co-operation and Gender Equality. 

Projects that contribute to work for equal rights, equal treatment and equal opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries can apply for financing from the Fund. A total of DKK 238,000 will be distributed. NIKK is the administrator of the Nordic LGBTI Fund on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers and will accept applications after the summer of 2021.  

As with the Nordic Gender Equality Fund, actors from at least three Nordic countries need to be involved in each application. Thanks to this co-operation, knowledge is growing and being shared across borders. We are finding common solutions and learning from each other. The activities should start during 2021 and are to be carried out within two years. The funding can be used to develop common methods and new knowledge, and to hold conferences and build networks, etc. 

“The new Fund will strengthen the work to ensure equal rights, equal treatment and equal opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries. We know that there is a great deal of expertise, knowledge and the will to drive this development forward, in particular in civil society. And we hope that this will be reflected in the applications received,” says Thomas Blomqvist. 
 

Preliminary important dates for the Nordic LGBTI Fund

You need to apply via a form, which will be available from nikk.no during the application period. 

• 1 September – the call opens  
• 30 September – deadline for applications  

• November/December – decisions notified to applicants  
• December – contracts will be signed 

 
Read more about the Nordic LGBTI Fund here and prepare your application by reading our guide for those seeking funding.