Assessment criteria

The project must be clearly formulated with regard to the programme's criteria. The most important assessment criteria are quality and innovative character of the project.

When assessing applications from the amateur culture and volunteer sector, priority is given to projects that are executed in cooperation with professionals.
Both modules apply common criteria.

Development and communication 

• The main objective of the programme is development. The concept of development covers new interpretations, renewal and innovation of methods and forms of presentation and co-operation.
  

• The programme stresses the importance of communication and presentation to audiences but also the importance of exchange of experiences between cultural operators and their operating environments in the various phases of the project.
  

Priority themes 2010-2012

• Culture for children and youth
• Cultural diversity
• Nordic cultural heritage
• The creative Nordic Region – response to the challenges posed by globalisation
• Nordic language understanding

The programme has no funding quotas for these themes, and the programme is open also to projects related to other themes.

Nordic dimension

• All projects should involve partners from at least three countries out of which at least two should be Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) or the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. Participation can be either in the form of participant, organiser or topic/theme. This is the minimum requirement to meet the programme's guidelines and to be eligible to apply for funding. 
• In cases of Nordic participation in international projects, the Nordic contribution should have a significant impact on the content of the project and should be clearly grounded in the application.       
  

'The Nordic Region in the World - the World in the Nordic Region'

• The programme will stimulate and support interaction between the Nordic countries and the rest of the world.
  
• The programme stresses the importance of enhancing the visibility of cultural diversity on a national, inter-Nordic and international level.
  

Time aspect of the projects

• The programme only offers funding to projects with a limited timeframe. The programme does not support recurring projects and activities.
  
• The programme does not support projects which have already started and are tied to financial obligations.
  
• The development and practical processes of the project mustn't last longer than three years.
  

Economic advantage

• The programme will not support projects with the purpose of creating an economic advantage for the grant recipient.