Oceans | Nordic cooperation

Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-11 08:07

The Nordic Council of Ministers is working towards delivering sustainable ocean management that strengthens regional co-operation.

Source: https://www.norden.org/en/oceans

Funding Details

Funder

Nordic Council of Ministers

Funding Goal

To strengthen Nordic cooperation on sustainable ocean management, increase marine ecosystem resilience, protect biodiversity, reduce marine pollution, and support ecosystem-based coastal and marine spatial planning across the Baltic Sea, North Sea, North-East Atlantic, and Arctic regions.

Funding Amount

The NHK allocates approximately 3 million DKK per year across 5-8 projects. The broader Nordic Ocean Programme had a budget of 7.25 million DKK. Individual project amounts vary by call. (up to 3.000.000 €)

Deadline

Rolling — calls issued periodically on specific topics (Rolling)

How to Apply

The Nordic Council of Ministers does not accept spontaneous applications. Direct calls for project funding are issued periodically on specific topics through their funding portal (norden.org/en/funding-opportunities). The NHK (Nordic Working Group for Oceans and Coastal Areas) issues project calls where applications are assessed by experts at Nordic countries' authorities for marine and coastal environment management. A new results-based management (RBM) system launched January 1, 2025 requires project descriptions submitted through an approved process. Contact: tilskud@norden.org for general funding inquiries, or Hans Jakob Eriksen (haneri@norden.org) for the Nordic Ocean Programme specifically.

Target Region

Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden), autonomous territories (Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland), and Baltic states. Marine areas: Baltic Sea, North Sea, North-East Atlantic, Arctic.

Contact

Nordic Ocean Programme: Hans Jakob Eriksen, haneri@norden.org, +45 27 10 94 51. General funding inquiries: tilskud@norden.org

Last Checked

2026-03-12 04:09

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must involve representatives from at least three Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland), or two Nordic and one Baltic country
• Project must demonstrate clear 'Nordic added value' — collaborative outcomes benefiting the Nordic region
• Project must align with Vision 2030 and the Nordic Council of Ministers' strategic priorities

Project Scope

• Project themes must align with NHK priority areas: marine resilience, biodiversity protection, pollution mitigation, or ecosystem-based spatial planning

Required Documents

• Project description must be submitted through the approved RBM (results-based management) system with budget and administration guidelines
• Application must include a well-thought-out mediation/dissemination plan

Constraints

• All projects must integrate cross-sectoral perspectives: sustainable development, gender equality, and children's rights/youth perspectives

Summary

The Nordic Council of Ministers' Oceans initiative is an overarching policy framework for Nordic cooperation on sustainable ocean management. It encompasses two main funding mechanisms: the Nordic Ocean Programme, which serves as an integrated platform addressing marine environmental challenges with a budget of 7.25 million DKK, and the Nordic Working Group for Oceans and Coastal Areas (NHK), which allocates approximately 3 million DKK annually to 5-8 collaborative projects. The programme focuses on four key objectives: increasing resilience of marine ecosystems and climate adaptation, safeguarding Nordic seas through biodiversity conservation and restoration, reducing pollution impacts (including plastic waste and microplastics), and supporting ecosystem-based marine and coastal spatial planning. The geographic scope covers the Baltic Sea, North Sea, North-East Atlantic, and Arctic regions. Funding is available through periodic calls for proposals rather than continuous open applications. Applicants must form consortia with partners from at least three Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Greenland, or Åland), or two Nordic and one Baltic country. All projects must demonstrate clear Nordic added value and align with the Nordic Vision 2030 to make the region the most sustainable and integrated in the world. The Nordic Council of Ministers funds approximately 500 projects annually across all sectors. For ocean-related funding, applications are assessed by experts from Nordic countries' marine management authorities, with emphasis on scientific quality, dissemination plans, and relevance to NHK priority themes.

Historical Context

The NHK has been an ongoing working group with a mandate period from 2019 to 2024, allocating approximately 3 million DKK annually to 5-8 projects. The Nordic Ocean Programme was established as an integrated platform for Nordic cooperation on marine challenges. The Nordic Ministerial Declaration on Oceans and Climate and on Biodiversity, Oceans and Climate demonstrate high-level political commitment. A new results-based management system was launched January 1, 2025.

Sources

• https://www.norden.org/en/oceans
• https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-ocean-programme
• https://www.norden.org/en/information/about-nordic-working-group-oceans-and-coastal-areas
• https://www.norden.org/en/information/how-apply-funding-nordic-council-ministers
• https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/nordic-working-group-oceans-and-coastal-areas-nhk
• https://www.norden.org/en/policy-area/oceans
• https://www.norden.org/en/theme/oceans
• https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/nordic-sea-and-coast-group-nhk-invites-project-proposals-to-improve-the-coastal-environment/

Similar Programs

← Back to list