Summary

This study constitutes an in-depth analysis of cultural collaborations and focuses on funding from the Nordic Culture Fund and Nordic Culture Point. The in-depth analysis aims to examine the conditions for Nordic cooperation and exchanges in the cultural sector. While the Nordic Culture Fund is an independent organisation linked to the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers, Nordic Culture Point is an organization under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The report presents systematic knowledge about the nature of Nordic cultural cooperation based on two major grant supports. The study is based on interviews with grant recipients and representatives from Nordic Culture Fund and Nordic Culture Point. More specifically, the following question is examined: What obstacles and opportunities can be identified for Nordic cultural cooperation and exchange in the cultural sector, focusing on funding from the Nordic Culture Fund and Nordic Culture Point?

A recurring issue in Nordic cooperation revolves around geographical, ecological, and economic barriers that affect projects from planning to implementation. Geographical distances create unequal conditions for cooperation, where central areas benefit from good communications and large cultural budgets, while peripheral areas face difficulties in inclusion due to a lack of resources. Travel, in particular, appears to be costly and unsustainable, affecting the possibility of cooperation and the need for funds.

Managing projects with participants from several different countries appears to be a challenge, especially for smaller organisations and unestablished actors. Nevertheless, many projects involve more than three Nordic countries. The relationship with "the Nordic Region" varies between projects, where Nordic relevance may be a starting point or a consequence of available funding. Different art forms have different conditions for Nordic cooperation, with already established networks and collaborations making some art forms more likely to apply for Nordic funding.

Difficulties arise for unestablished cultural practitioners, both in the application process and regarding concerns about reporting. Moreover, budgeting becomes complex with different currencies and tax rules between countries. In addition, in some projects it is perceived as difficult to pay reasonable salaries to participants. The short lifespan of projects is also sometimes seen as a problem.

During the covid-19-pandemic, planned projects were disrupted, but the flexibility of donors was highlighted as positive. Physical meetings were emphasized as important for cultural creation, while awareness of the environmental impact of travel within projects increased.

Despite the challenges, the participants express predominantly positive experiences of Nordic support, but areas of development are identified to create economically, environmentally, socially and creatively sustainable projects.

In summary, the following areas for further discussion and developmental work are proposed:

Art forms' connection to Nordic cooperation: How can it become easier for those art forms that are not usually involved in Nordic cooperation to apply for and benefit from grants?
Established and unestablished cultural practitioners: What measures can be taken to reduce the gap between established and unestablished cultural practitioners' opportunities to apply for and receive Nordic grant funding?
Centre and periphery in Nordic cooperation: How can the differences between central and peripheral areas be bridged to increase the opportunities for peripheral countries and areas to participate in Nordic cooperation and apply for grants?
Accessibility of culture in the Nordic region: How can similar conditions be created for culture to be accessible in different places in the Nordic region, especially with regard to uniform pricing for the performance and presentation of works?
Activities for Nordic information: There are needs for continuous information activities to provide information on various laws and tax rules in connection with the budgeting and payment of Nordic grant funds.