Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Fund Awards Grants to Five New Cooperation Projects

The Board of the Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Fund has resolved to award grants to five projects promoting cooperation between Sweden and Estonia.

The 2026 application round was open from 1 February to 31 March and attracted a record level of interest. A total of 46 applications were submitted, compared to 26 in 2025 demonstrating growing engagement in bilateral cooperation.

Applications were received from a broad geographic base, including 22 from Estonia, 21 from Sweden, and individual applications from Latvia, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The largest share of applications focused on student and youth exchange initiatives, followed by projects in music and the arts.

The Board approved funding for the following initiatives:

  • Estonian–Swedish Student Connections: Visions for the Future 2. Collaboration between Uppsala University (Department of Modern Languages) and the University of Tartu (Department of Scandinavian Studies), focusing on Finno-Ugric languages and academic exchange.

  • Inclusive Preparedness and Universal Design – Sweden–Estonia Knowledge Exchange. A cooperation between Funktionsrätt Jönköping County and the Estonian Chamber of People with Disabilities, promoting inclusive approaches to preparedness and accessibility.

  • FIXIT – Knowledge Transfer Project. A collaboration between Information for Sustainable Renovation NGO and Gysinge Center for Building Maintenance AB, focusing on sustainable renovation practices.

  • NEW NORTH / UUS PÕHI. A theatre showcase dedicated to contemporary Nordic dramaturgy, led by the Estonian Directors’ and Dramaturgs’ Union in partnership with Colombine Theaterförlag.

  • Participation of Ida Falk Winland in the 10th Narva Opera Festival. Supporting the involvement of Swedish soprano Ida Falk Winland at the Narva Opera Festival at the historic Kreenholm Manufacturing site, in cooperation with ContempArt MTÜ and Braathen Artist Management.

Since the launch of its grants programme in 2021, the Foundation has supported a total of 49 projects, with more than 1,8 M SEK allocated to initiatives strengthening Sweden–Estonia cooperation.

“These projects reflect what our cooperation is about – bringing people together, creating new ideas and building long-term connections between Sweden and Estonia. We are proud to support initiatives that will continue to grow beyond this initial funding,” said Pär Nuder, Chair of the Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Fund.

The Sweden–Estonia Cooperation Fund is an independent foundation established in 2019. It supports cooperation and exchange between individuals, organisations and institutions in both countries. Grants are financed through returns generated from the Foundation’s capital.

The Fund looks forward to following the development and impact of these initiatives over the coming year.

Janar Sutt