Agreement on initiatives in budget for 2024 in place

The framework for Nordic co-operation is Vision 2030, which has been adopted by the Nordic prime ministers. The goal of the vision is to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. An ambitious redistribution of funds is being implemented ahead of 2024 to support the three strategic priorities of this vision: Social sustainability, competitiveness and – not least – the green transition. 
 

The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers have negotiated concrete initiatives in the budget, and agreement has been reached on increasing funding for the areas of education and culture, for instance. The agreement has been settled at DKK 20.5 million and sets aside DKK 10.5 million for Nordic civil society organisations and associations. On top of this, DKK 8 million is earmarked for leading Nordic stakeholders within education and culture. Finally, priority is also given to Nordic cultural exchange outside the Nordic countries. The agreement also means that the process for allocating part of the funds will make it easier for relevant stakeholders to apply for the funds. 

Iceland’s minister for Nordic Co-operation and chair of the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation, Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, says:

“I’m really happy that I and the presidency of the Nordic Council have had good and constructive negotiations that have resulted in an agreement which is in line with the vision of the Nordic Council of Ministers, and which also takes into account the aspirations and initiatives of the Nordic Council. This agreement strengthens the Nordic institutions. At the same time, funds are set aside to continue the involvement of the many valuable stakeholders who are working with the Nordic agenda within and beyond the Nordic Region.”

The President of the Nordic Council Jorodd Asphjell states: 

“The outcome of the negotiations demonstrates that the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers stand together in efforts to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. Similarly, the negotiations are based on a mutual understanding of the absolutely central role that education and culture play in the success of these efforts.”