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7. Enhancing Nordic col­labo­ra­tion: What are the next steps?

The last session discussed about the next steps in enhancing Nordic collaboration. It was chaired by Hanna Onwen-Huma, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry for Social Affairs and Health, Finland.

7.1. Experiences on Nordic collaboration

Ylva Odenbring, Professor of Education, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Nordic collaboration is enhanced by Nordic research networks. The Nordic Educational Research Association’s (NERA) is one of these research networks. NERA’s annual conference take place in one of the Nordic countries in March every year. NERA has several networks and one of the networks, the Gender and Education network, specifically focuses on issues on gender, sexuality and education. During the conference the latest research in the research field is presented and the network members also meet and discuss different matters at the annual network meeting. The network has also a digital meeting between conferences. The current network convenor is Professor Ylva Odenbring, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Another example of Nordic collaboration is the Nordic Network for LGBTQ+ Research on Health and Living Conditions. The network coordinator is Catrine Andersson, Associate professor in Social Work at Malmö University, with support from the Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies (CSS), Sweden.
These networks are open to researchers and Ph.D. students in the Nordic countries. Both networks are excellent examples of Nordic collaboration.
As an example of Nordic collaboration, Ylva Odenbring mentioned the ongoing research project Mental health issues and victimisation among LGBTQI-youth: A comparative study in Swedish and Danish schools (2022–2026), funded by the Swedish Research Council. By conducting individual interviews with LGBTQ+ students aged 15–19 years in Sweden and Denmark, the project investigates schooling experiences, student victimisation, mental health issues, discrimination processes, and how professionals may find ways to prevent these issues in Swedish and Danish secondary schools. Preliminary results show that in both countries, lower secondary school is experienced as the most difficult time for most LGBTQ+ students.

7.2. Advancing Equality Together: Nordic Co-operation on Gender Equality and LGBTI Rights

Petter Dotterud Anthun, Senior Adviser, Nordic Council of Ministers

Nordic co-operation is one of the oldest and comprehensive regional partner­ships in the world. Based on insight after the world wars, it was concluded that small countries need to work together. This led to the establishment of the Nordic Council, the forum for co-operation between Nordic parliament­arians, in 1952, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the formal forum for co-operation between the Nordic govern­ments, in 1971, and the Nordic Culture Fund in 1967.
The Helsinki Treaty, a treaty of co-operation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, was signed on 23 March 1962 and entered into force on 1 July 1962. According to the treaty, the countries must maintain and develop further co-operation in the fields of law, culture, economy, trans­port and communications, and environ­mental protection. They should also consult with each other on matters of common interest within European and other international organisations and at conferences. 
Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI is one of twelve ministerial councils in the Nordic co-operation. It is co-operation based on shared values ​​of human equality, freedom from discrimination and equal rights for all. This cooperation between the governments of the Nordic countries in the area of gender equality and equality for LGBTI people is led by the Nordic Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI (MR-JÄM). The Committee of Senior Officials for Gender Equality (EK-JÄM), which consists of representa­tives from all Nordic countries and autonomous regions, coordinates the practical work and prepares the meetings of MR-JÄM. Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) is a co-operation body under the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI.

The tasks of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI consist of policy development and coordination, funding and support for projects, knowledge sharing and research, and regional and international co-operation. It has launched a strategic programme (2025–2030) for a strategic direction for gender equality and LGBTI rights, focusing on inclusion, combating discrimination, and strengthening regional collaboration. The focus areas are gender equality in the labour market, anti-discrimination and distribution of power and influence, freeing the Nordic region from gender-based and sexual violence, sexual victimisation and harassment and hate, guaranteeing opportunity to shape one’s own life without restriction of stereotypical norms and expectations, and counteracting and preventing inequality in health, well-being and quality of life.
Pushing for progress is a joint Nordic declaration and program (2025–2027) launched by the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI, which commits the Nordic governments to defend hard‑won gains in gender equality and equal rights for LGBTI persons, while actively advancing further progress both within the Nordic region and internationally. The declaration states: ”We vow to defend the advancements already made on gender equality and equal rights for LGBTI persons, to never go backwards, and to keep pushing forward for progress.”
Support schemes for Nordic benefit includes funding provided by NordForsk, which funds and facilitates Nordic research co-operation. NordForsk funds research networks, infrastructure cooperation and joint Nordic programmes in priority areas. Funded projects must involve at least three Nordic countries.
The Nordic Committee for Children and Young People (NORDBUK) is the Nordic Council of Ministers’ advisory and co-ordinating body for matters relating to children and young people.
It funds aimed at projects that promote the rights, participation, and well-being of children and young people. The projects must involve at least three Nordic countries. Gender equality, LGBTI and inclusion is a focus area.

7.3. Nordic support for collaboration

Deepati Forsberg, project coordinator, Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK)
Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) is co-operation body under the Nordic Council of Ministers located at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research in the University of Gothen­burg. It is a small team co-operating with experts in the Nordic region. NIKK’s main tasks are knowledge production covering research, policy and practice, strategic dissemi­nation of knowledge through digital channels, meetings and collaborations, as well as sharing knowledge, networks and expertise. In addition, NIKK administers two funds on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Gender Equality Fund and the Nordic LGBTI Fund.
The funding is intended for projects targeting challenges identified in the Nordic cooperation programme on gender equality and LGBTI. The projects should aim at contributing new knowledge, sharing of experiences or building Nordic networks. There should be a minimum of three organizations from at least three Nordic/Baltic countries. The funding is 50,000 – 500,000 DKK per project, with 20% own contribution, and the project time is maximum two years.
The funding is suitable for capacity building: Establishing research collaborations, preparing larger applications/projects through the funded projects, for publications in the Nordic Council of Ministers' publication series TemaNord, and for strengthening synergies to other Nordic cooperation activities.
Examples of what can be funded include Nordic gatherings, knowledge production, network-building, method development, and the participation of volunteer organisations in Nordic or international conferences/​courses/​meetings
Examples of granted projects:
  • A Nordic digital curriculum for LGBTQIA+ competencies in higher education programs for human service professions, with the aim of developing open-access digital curriculum for students, professionals, and educators.
  • Antigypsyist homophobia and LGBTIQ Roma rights in the Nordics, with the aim of producing tools, good practices and knowledge for organi­sations and stakeholders as well as a publication, and advancing further research and collaboration.
  • The Nordic Network for LGBTI research on Health and Living Conditions to create a network for sharing research results, strengthening collaboration across disciplines, and supporting the development of new projects.
  • Challenges identified in Nordic LGBTI research and collabora­tion include the need of more data, research, and documented knowledge. Furthermore, more inclusion of the autonomous regions (Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland) is needed, and more inclusion of non-normative LGBTI-persons voices. In addition, more safe platforms for dialogue and collaboration are required.
The call for proposals in 2026 for The Nordic Gender Equality Fund is between 3 March and 3 April 2026, and for the Nordic LGBTI Fund between 1 September and 1 October 2026.
During the discussion of the last session, a commentary speech regarding the situation and need of data on LGBTI people in Greenland was given by Jaaku Lyberth from Sipineq+.
Nordic Council of Ministers I www.norden.org/publications I pub@norden.org