Creative Force

Are you an organisation that works internationally to strengthen democracy, freedom of expression and human rights? Do you use media or the arts as a means to bring about positive change? Creative Force funds projects of this kind. If you have a project idea and a partner in one of our target countries we may be able to help you. Check below for information and to see if you meet our criteria.

Democracy, freedom of expression & human rights

Available for 27 countries.

See all countries

Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestine, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Somalia, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Yemen, Zambia

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Woman sitting outside painting. — Dadas Connect project in Kenya. Architects without Borders/Hope Raisers youth group. Photo: John Macharia

What is Creative Force?

It is a funding programme for international projects. It is open to Swedish organisations and their partners in our target countries who work though media or the arts to strengthen democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. It offers two types of grant:

Seed Funding is available for carrying out a small project or for preparing a larger project for which you plan to seek funding. You and your international partner can apply for up to SEK 100,000 for an initiative which must be completed within 12 months of funding being granted. We recommend that you apply for seed funding before you apply for a grant for a larger collaborative project.

Collaborative Projects are larger projects which should involve knowledge exchange, capacity building or method development. We recommend that you apply for this type of grant to scale-up a project which has previously received seed funding. You and your international partner can apply for up to SEK 500,000 per 12-month period. A project may last 24 months at most from funding being granted (in other words, you can apply for max. SEK 1 million).

Who can apply?

Any type of organisation which is registered in Sweden.
Your organisation must have been registered for at least one year (for seed funding) or two years (for collaborative projects).
You must write your application jointly with a partner organisation in one (or more) of the Creative Force target countries (see below).

Which countries are included?

In Africa and Middle East & North Africa (MENA):
Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen
In Eastern Europe & Turkey:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldavia, Ukraine and Turkey
Russia:
Northwestern Russia

Projects should normally take place entirely in the target country or in both Sweden and the target country. Please note that the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against travelling to certain countries (or regions within countries). Information can be found on the ministry’s website (in Swedish). A Creative Force project may include partners or participants from such countries, but the project should be carried out in another target country or in Sweden.

Check whether your project is suitable for Creative Force.

Your project uses media or the arts as a means to strengthen democracy, freedom of expression and human rights in the target countries.
Your project fulfills the specific Creative Force programme objectives for the country(s) you want to work with.
Your project should be based on an exchange of knowledge or best practice between partners. This can be achieved, for example, by means of training courses or similar opportunities where participants work together to develop new methods or technologies.
Your project targets agents of change in the partner country(s) who want to learn new skills or use new technologies to help them in their efforts to bring about change.
Your project’s achievements will continue to spread and have an impact after the project has finished.

When and how can I apply?

1. Next Call for Applications - 5 Dec 2018 - 24 Jan 2019

There are two opportunities each year to apply for funding:

Call for Funding 1 opens in December and closes in January. On this occasion we accept applications for both types of grant, i.e. seed funding and collaborative projects.
Call for Funding 2 opens in May/June and closes in late August. On this occasion you can only apply for seed funding.

When the exact dates have been decided you will find them in the timeline above.

2. How to write your application. - 5 Dec 2018 - 24 Jan 2019

Below you will find the various documents you need for your application. Download, save them and fill in the application form for the type of grant and the region/country that you are applying for. Make sure you choose the correct form because the programme objectives differ. Please note that the updated application documents are only accessible when a Call for Funding is open. We do not accept applications submitted using earlier versions.

Seed Funding
◾Application document – Africa & MENA
◾Application document – Eastern Europe & Turkey
◾Application document – Russia

Collaborative Projects
◾Application document – Africa & MENA
◾Application document – Eastern Europe & Turkey
◾Application document – Russia

Now, download, save and fill in the appropriate following documents:

◾Budget form (all applications).
◾Letter of Intent (seed funding only)
◾Memorandum of Understanding (collaborative projects only)
◾Organisation assessment (all applications)
◾Risk analysis (collaborative projects only)

You must also obtain a Certificate of Registration for the Swedish applicant organisation and save it on your computer. Please note that we do not accept certificates of registration which were issued more than 12 months before the date of your application.

3. How to submit your online application. - 5 Dec 2018 - 24 Jan 2019

Click on this link to take you to the online application form. (Please note that this application form is only accessible when a Call for Applications is open.)
Start by creating an account or logging in if you already have one.
Submit all the documents from Step 2 above (which you have completed and saved on your computer) via the online application form. Instructions on the form will guide you step-by-step through the procedure.
You can create and save an application in advance. This allows you to review it before you submit it. You cannot make any changes one you have submitted your application.

After you have submitted your application, you will receive an email giving you a reference number. Please give this this reference number whenever you need to contact the Swedish Institute.

Important: for your application to be complete you must submit it online.

4. Has my application been successful? - 25 Mar 2019 - 29 Mar 2019

Data Protection
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency. As such, all applications received by SI are in the public domain. When you apply to Creative Force we require you to give the name and contact details of the responsible person at the Swedish applicant organisation and at the chief international partners. We use this information to process your application. If we then grant you funding we will occasionally use this information for publicity, analysis or monitoring purposes. This information may also be shared with staff at Sweden’s diplomatic missions in relevant countries. Read our Privacy Policy.

Have a look at our project database to get an idea of the kinds of project we support.

You can follow Creative Force on Facebook and on Instagram.

See our FAQs below

Do you have a question about your ongoing Creative Force project? Have a look at the FAQs at the bottom of the page.

If you cannot find the answer to your question, send an e-mail to creativeforce(a)si.se.

FAQ: Applying for funding from Creative Force

1. What is Seed Funding?
- Seed Funding is available for small projects or to prepare a larger project for which you plan to seek funding.
- You must aim to communicate, influence opinion and encourage a dialogue about the issues which the project works with.
- Your project must last no longer than 12 months from when your funding is granted
- You can apply for up to SEK 100,000.
- We recommend that you apply for seed funding before applying for a grant for a collaborative project. This is particularly important if this is your first application to Creative Force or if you want to work with a new international partner.
2. What is a Collaborative Project?
A Collaborative Project must:
- Be based on an exchange of knowledge or best practice between partners and should offer opportunities for developing new methods or techniques.
- Aim to communicate, influence opinion and encourage a dialogue about the issues which the project works with.
- Have sustainable goals. This means that the methods and results of the project should continue to have an effect after the project has finished.
- Last no longer than 24 months from when the funding is granted.
3. What are the overall goals of the Creative Force programme?
4. What do you mean by 'using media or the arts as a means to bring about change'?

Strengthening democracy, freedom of expression and human rights is no easy task. It can be difficult to work with these issues in countries where the need is greatest.

One way of overcoming this problem can be to use new methods or approaches to address sensitive or difficult subjects. What makes Creative Force unique is that it gives funding to projects which work specifically with media (new or traditional) or the arts to do just this.

Documentary film, photography, dance and theatre are just some examples of cultural disciplines which can be used to explore important questions in new ways. The media and journalism can also be used innovatively to strengthen basic rights and freedoms.

Have a look at our Creative Force database to get an idea of the kinds of projects we are interested in supporting.
5. What are the programme's target groups?
- The target group of your project should be agents of change and opinion makers in the target country. These should work through the arts or the media to help strengthen democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. Your project should also aim to target decision makers.
- Examples of Creative Force target groups are cultural workers and journalists; other representatives of media organisations; human rights defenders; women’s rights groups, youth organisations; others who work to achieve positive change in society.
6. What are final beneficiaries?

Final beneficiaries are groups and/or individuals in the target countries who are directly and positively affected by the project.

Examples of final beneficiaries are women, children and youth as well as minority groups in especially vulnerable positions such as LGBTQ individuals or people with disabilities.
7. What do you mean by sustainability?
8. What is the application procedure?
9. Can I submit more than one application for the same geographic region? Can I submit applications to more than one of the geographic regions?

You are free to send in more than one application for the same region. However, we cannot grant an applicant funding for more than one collaborative project and one seed-funded project per region.

Yes, you can simultaneously apply to more than one of the programme’s geographic regions.
10. Can I apply to carry out a project which involves countries from more than one of the geographic regions?
Yes you can, but please note the following:
- You must submit a separate application per region.
- Each application must have its own main partner organisation.
- The programme goals vary from one region to another, so make sure you adapt each separate application to the goals for that specific region.
11. Can I apply to Creative Force if my organisation is not registered in Sweden or if I do not have an organisation?
12. Can you help me find a project partner?
Unfortunately we cannot help you find a partner. You are welcome to use our social media channels to search for a partner.
13. How do I obtain a Certificate of Registration for my Swedish organisation?
Contact the following to order a Certificate of Registration (registreringsbevis):
- If you are a company (including enskild firma): Bolagsverket
- If you are a non-profit association (ideella föreningar): Skatteverket
- If you are a foundations (stiftelser): Länsstyrelsen
- If you are a public sector organisation: SCB
Please note that we do not accept certificates of registration which were issued more than 12 months before the date of your application.
14. How does the Swedish Institute assess applications?
15. Can I apply for funding for a school exchange, research project or residency?
16. Can apply for a grant to cover my costs for a conference or other activity in one of the target countries?

FAQ: The programme objectives and strategies that steer Creative Force.

17. What are the programme objectives for Creative Force Africa and Middle East & North Africa (MENA)?
Creative Force Africa and MENA is financed through a new government strategy for international development which supports the sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030. At present the strategy is only available in Swedish.

Creative Force projects in this geographic area must specifically contribute to one or more of the following Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and programme objectives:

SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.

Strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.

SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural heritage.
18. What are the programme objectives for Creative Force Eastern Europe & Turkey?
Creative Force Eastern Europe & Turkey is steered by Sweden’s Reform Cooperation Strategy for the region. The aim of this strategy is stronger democracy, equitable and sustainable development and closer ties with the EU and its fundamental values.

Creative Force projects in this geographic area must specifically contribute to one or more of the following programme objectives:
- A more pluralistic civil society.
- Improved conditions for democratic accountability to the people.
- Freer and more independent media.
- Stronger rights and greater respect for/recognition of vulnerable groups such as children and LGBTQ persons as well as ethnic and religious minorities.
- Greater awareness and reduced levels of discrimination and intolerance.
- Women and men increasingly have equal power to shape society and their own lives.
19. What are the programme objectives for Creative Force Russia?
Creative Force Russia is steered by the Strategy for Sweden’s support for democracy, human rights and the environment in Russia. The main objectives of the strategy are to support democratic social development, greater respect for human rights and environmental improvements.

Creative Force Projects in Russia must specifically contribute to one or more of the following programme objectives:

Greater opportunities for democratic involvement on the part of citizens.

Enhanced capacity among drivers of change and civil society to promote democracy, human rights and non-discrimination.

Mass media with strengthened capacity to promote transparency and public dialogue.

Women and men increasingly have the same power to shape society and their own lives.

Increased environmental awareness and responsibility, primarily among civil society actors.

FAQ: If you already have a grant from Creative Force ...

20. When and how will I receive the money?
We always pay the grant to the Swedish applicant organisation. The procedure differs slightly depending on which type of funding we have granted you:

Seed Funding
You will receive all the money in one payment when you have returned the signed Agreement to us.

Collaborative projects which last up to 12 months
- We will pay 90 per cent of the grant when we have received the signed Agreement from you.
- We will pay the remaining 10 per cent at the end of the project when we have received and approved the written report, the financial report and the audit.
Collaborative projects which last longer than 12 months
- We will pay 50 per cent of the grant when we have received the signed Agreement from you.
- We will pay a further 40 per cent when we have received and approved your interim report.
- You will be paid the final 10 per cent when we have received and approved the final written report, the financial report and the audit.
21. What do I do if I need to make changes to the project's approved activity plan or budget?
If you need to make any changes during the course of the project you must contact the Swedish Institute in advance:
- Changes to project activities: fill in Revised activity plan and send it to the Swedish Institute.
- Changes to the budget: fill in Revised budget form and send it to the Swedish Institute.
22. Can I transfer money to my international project partner?
If you want to transfer part of the grant to your international partner in advance to cover their upcoming project costs you must draw up an agreement between you and your partner and send a copy to the Swedish Institute before you make the transfer. We suggest that you use this template: Agreement for transfer of funding.

Please note that if you make this type of transfer we require a separate local audit of this money. To ensure that total audit costs are not too great in relation to the amount of money we have awarded you, we only allow you to make advance transfers in the following cases:
- if you have been granted funding for a collaborative project
- if the amount you want to transfer is over SEK 100,000
We do not require a separate agreement or local audit if you transfer funds later to reimburse your project partner for expenses which have already arisen – on condition that they can provide you with invoices or receipts for all these costs.
23. I have received Seed Funding. When do I have to send in a project report - and how?
At the end of the project you must send us 1) a written report, 2) a financial report and 3) a certification of financial report. The Instructions for financial reporting will help you with the financial report.

You will find the deadline for final reporting in your Agreement with the Swedish Institute. Use the appropriate forms below:
NB: Contact us at creativeforce@si.se if you need a written report form for a project which was granted funding in 2018.

Please email your written report to us at creativeforce@si.se. Or you can send it together with your financial report and certification of financial report. These must be signed and posted to us at the following address:
Swedish Institute
Box 7434
SE-103 91 Stockholm
Sweden

And last but not least, don’t forget to send us photos and videos from your project.
24. I have a 12-month Collaborative Project. When do I have to send in a project report - and how?
If your Collaborative Project lasted up to 12 months
At the end of the project you must send us 1) a written report, 2) a financial report and 3) an audit. Please read the Instructions for financial reporting and Audit Instructions. Make sure you send the audit instructions to your auditor.

You will find the deadline for final reporting in your Agreement with the Swedish Institute. Use the appropriate forms below:
NB: Contact us at creativeforce@si.se if you need a written report form for a project which was granted funding in 2018.

Please email your written report to us at creativeforce@si.se. Or you can send it together with your financial report and the audit. These must be signed and posted to us at the following address:
Swedish Institute
Box 7434
SE-103 91 Stockholm
Sweden

And last but not least, don’t forget to send us photos and videos from your project.
25. I have a Collaborative Project lasting more than 12 months. When do I have to send in a project report - and how?
If your Collaborative Project lasts over 12 months:
Step 1: You must send us an interim report by the deadline given in your Agreement. After this we will pay the next installment of the money. Use the following forms for your interim report:
Step 2: At the end of the project you must then send us 1) a written report, 2) a financial report and 3) an audit. Read the Instructions for financial reporting and Audit Instructions. Make sure sure you send the audit instructions to your auditor.

You will find the deadline for final reporting in your Agreement with the Swedish Institute. Use the appropriate forms below:
NB: Contact us at creativeforce@si.se if you need a written report form for a project which was granted funding in 2016.

Please email your written report to us at creativeforce@si.se. Or you can post it to us together with your signed financial report and audit:
Swedish Institute
Box 7434
SE-103 91 Stockholm
Sweden

And last but not least, don’t forget to send us photos and videos from your project.
26. Do I have to submit an audit of the project's finances at the end of the project?

We do not need an audit if we have granted you Seed Funding.

If you have received funding for a Collaborative Project (over SEK 100,000) you must send us an audit carried out by a qualified, external accountant as part of your final reporting (see FAQ above).

Read these detailed Audit Instructions and send them to your accountant.
27. What happens if I have unspent money at the end of the project?

If you have more than SEK 1,000 left at the end of the project you must repay the Swedish Institute. We have the following bank giro account: 5210-3918. Don’t forget to give your project registration number when you make the repayment.

Please do not make any repayment until we have approved your final report.
28. Can I apply for more funding if I have a Creative Force project which is ongoing at the time of the next Call for Applications?
Yes, you may send in a new application. However, if you are applying for a new project in the same CF region please note the following:
- We can only approve a new application if we have received your complete final report for the previous project (including audit if over SEK 100,000) by 28 February (Call for Funding 1) or 31 August (Call for Funding 2).
- This condition applies irrespective of the deadline for submitting your final report which you will find in your Agreement with SI.