Nordic Children’s and Youth Committee: Guide to Project Grants


Aim
The aim of the Nordic Children’s and Youth Committee’s grant program is to strengthen the Nordic identity by increasing children and youth’s participation in activities concerning cultural, political and social questions in the North. What can be supported?
Grants are given to time-limited projects contributing to increase the contact between children and youth in the North. Grants can be given to seminars, courses, conferences, camps, publications, cultural functions, etc. Grants are not given to Nordic participants in international projects with a wider focus than the North. Grants can, however, be given to Nordic coordination prior to international involvement (for instance, European or global). Criteria for selection
The selection of projects is done according to the following criteria: Nordic dimension
Projects, which contribute to strengthen the Nordic identity and cooperation, receive high priority. Further priority is given to projects, which contribute to:
• Put focus on youth in today’s North, and Nordic cooperation in the future. 
• Increased understanding of the Nordic cultural heritage and common historical tradition.
• Multicultural awareness and decreased xenophobia in the North.
• Increased understanding of the Nordic languages and their variety. Children and youth participation
High priority is given to projects in which young people have the primary initiative and responsibility in all phases of the project from idea development to final evaluation. Further priority is given if the responsibility is well distributed among persons and partners. Additional priority is given for projects contributing to the active participation of youth in cultural, political and social affairs in the North. Geographic coverage
Priority is given to projects involving many countries. Further priority is given to projects involving the West North (Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland), Northwest Russia, the Baltic countries and/or cultural and linguistic minorities in the North. Innovative
Priority is given to pilot- and development projects and cooperation between Nordic organisations and other groups of children and youth in innovative networks. Quality of application
The application should explicitly include: 1) The objectives and expected results 2) A description of concrete activities with date(s) and venue(s) 3) Coherence between budget and described activities 4) A description of preparation, invitation, organisation, evaluation, documentation and publication 5) Division of responsibilities for tasks among persons and partners. Who can receive grants?
Grants can be given to organisations and other groups of children and young people. Grants are usually not given to schools, sports organisations, trade unions and social partners. Grants can be given to groups of pupils and students or pupil and student organisations if the project does not involve union-based activities. Grants can be given to youth schools, youth clubs, cooperation between friendship municipalities, folk high schools, etc., if the young people have the primary initiative and responsibility throughout the process from idea development to final evaluation. Grants can be given to national, regional and local groups. Demand for partnership
Projects must be developed between equal partners from at least three of the following countries or autonomous areas: The Aaland Islands, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. When young people from either the Aaland Islands, Eastern Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland or the Calotte participate, only two partners are needed.
 In 2007 and 2008 only two partners are needed if the project includes minority groups from the participating countries. Grants can also be applied from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Northwest Russia. However, there must still be a minimum of three (or two) Nordic countries and/or autonomous areas involved.
There must be a fair distribution of participants from the countries involved. Rules for grants
The grants cannot cover all costs involved in a project. Organisers must provide co-financing, for instance through participation fees or other grants. Grants can be given to cover travel, board and lodging for young people from the age of 29 years and younger. Priority is given to participants younger than 25 years. Grants can further be given to cover rent of rooms, fees for necessary experts, assistance for participants with disabilities, publication of results, etc. Grants cannot be given to cover procurement of office supplies or acquisition of premises. The grant amount will be adjusted according to the participants’ travel needs. Grants are given to the organiser – not directly to participants or national representatives in a cooperation project. Priority is given to projects involving disabled children and youth.
Priority is given to projects involving minority groups.
Low priority is given to projects including competitions and championships. Grants are paid in two instalments. 85% are paid when Cirius has received the signed contract. The remaining 15% are paid when Cirius has approved the final financial and written reports. It must be evident from the material produced in connection with the project, that it is supported by the Nordic Children’s and Youth Committee. Application and deadline
Applications for project grants are assessed quarterly.Deadlines: February 1, April 1, September 1 and November 1.
 
Projects cannot begin until two month after application deadlines and at the latest a year after application deadlines. The application must be written in the online application form.Applications submitted too late will not be considered.The applicant will receive an answer to the application about six weeks after the application deadline. Reporting
A report of activities must be submitted no later than two months after the end of the project. Go to report form