Funding pool for projects on the integration of refugees and immigrants in the Nordic Region

The integration programme is primarily linked to the objectives of the strategic priorities for a competitive and socially sustainable Nordic Region. In order to deliver on these two priorities, a sufficient workforce with the right skills is required that can meet the needs of the labour market. Furthermore, a high proportion of the population needs to be in stable work and be able to support themselves. Refugees and immigrants must be active citizens with an emphasis on inclusion, gender equality, and non-discrimination, thereby strengthening Nordic cohesion.

In the programme period for 2022 to 2024, the primary focus will be on challenges and solutions related to education and the labour market. 

The purpose of the programme is to support national efforts by bolstering Nordic co-operation on the integration of refugees and immigrants, by encouraging the countries to share experiences and by generating new knowledge. 

The new programme outlines a series of milestones on the way to achieving this overall objective:

• Spreading and sharing Nordic knowledge and experiences of integration
• Bringing together the official agencies and stakeholders in the Nordic Region who deal with integration, including ministries, boards, official agencies, local authorities, regional authorities, practitioners, experts and civil society
• Supporting ongoing integration work in the Nordic countries

Municipal, regional and national authorities, universities and research institutions, as well as NGOs in the Nordic countries can apply for project funding. Although private enterprises cannot be the main applicant, they can be included as a project partner.

DKK 2,500,000 has been earmarked for the integration funding pool. Application amounts can range from DKK 500,000 to DKK 1,500,000.

Projects will be assessed in relation to the extent to which they meet one or more thematic objectives of the integration programme.

A competitive Nordic Region

• Nordic co-operation must assist refugees and immigrants in leveraging their skills and potential, such as through education and upskilling. This must be achieved through the development of solutions to the challenges that the future of working life will present, which requires refugees and immigrants to have the digital and language skills they need to thrive in the labour market, for instance.

A socially sustainable Nordic Region

• Nordic co-operation must assist refugees and immigrants in participating actively in society, including in sport and associations. This should be achieved by contributing to knowledge and projects on the strengthening of community, trust, and non-discrimination at both an individual and structural level.
• Nordic co-operation must help to reduce the disparity in work participation between men and women, such as by raising awareness of the barriers that women in particular face in relation to participation.

Projects will also be assessed in relation to the extent to which they meet the following objectives of the pool:

• Strengthening Nordic co-operation on integration by prioritising the exchange information and experiences and generation of new knowledge
• Spreading and sharing knowledge and experiences of integration
• Bringing Nordic stakeholders together

• The project application must address the Nordic Council of Ministers’ project criteria and structure, including budget and the extent to which the project address gender equality and the involvement of young people.
• Nordic added value. The project should strengthen co-operation across sectors and countries and establish new networks, while the project results should benefit the Nordic countries.
• All projects must involve at least three of the following countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, or Åland. 
• Project participants should document their experience and skills
• Applicants must document their organisational capacity in relation to the implementation of the project within the proposed time frame, ensuring the progress of the project and its narrative, and financial reporting.
• An adequate communication plan where the project’s results and potential impact are communicated in relation to the relevant stakeholders.

• Completed application document and budget sheet. Documents can be downloaded here: https://www.norden.org/en/information/how-apply-funding-nordic-council-ministers
• Send to annmos@norden.org no later than 16 June 2024 and CC friman@norden.org 
• Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail by way of a receipt for their submitted application. Should you not receive a receipt, please contact the Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers by phone.
• Applications must be written in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, or English.
• The reference group associated with the integration programme will assess the project applications and make a selection of those projects to be awarded funding, which will then be approved by the Nordic Committee for Co-operation.
• Applicants will be notified of the funding decisions by 15 September 2024.
• The Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers is responsible for the contract and the administration of the project.
• Project start: October 2024
• Project completion: October 2025