Young people in the region are finding it more and more difficult to understand each other's languages despite increased cross-border activities. Therefore, the Nordic Council of Ministers launched a language campaign in 2010 which will run until the end of 2011. The campaign is focusing on strengthening Nordic children's and young people's understanding of Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. One of the focus areas is developing new tools for teachers, and others who work with children and young people, to strengthen understanding in these languages.

One of the initiatives in the Language Campaign is the competition just announced by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It will encourage the creation of products that will strengthen understanding of Danish, Norwegian and Swedish in children and young people. Examples of products are teaching methods, teaching materials, courses, film and theatre performances for and with children and young people, as well as media and media productions in a broad sense, where language is the focal point.

The prize is worth DKK 500,000 for the development of a new product. The Council of Ministers encourages those involved in the cultural and educational sector as well as the research and innovation sector to take part in the competition. The products must be attractive for children and young people, of a very high quality and contribute to meeting the objectives of the Language Campaign.

Two winners will be selected who each will be awarded an amount of up to DKK 500,000 for development of a product.

Applications to be submitted electronically to sprog@norden.org.

More information on the competition, assessment criteria and the objectives of the Nordic Language Campaign can be found on www.nordisksprakkampanj.org.

Application deadline is 15 June 2011.

Kirsten Preisler
Phone +45 33960378
Email kp@norden.org