All three programmes offer unique opportunities to international cooperation and development. To secure funding, partnerships with relevant actors in the programme countries are required.
SI Creative Partnerships Programme
Purpose and Target Group
The SI Creative Partnerships Programme grants funding to Swedish organisations and their partners in civil society, culture, and media sectors. The focus is on promoting democratic development, human rights, and freedom of expression in the Western Balkans, Turkey, and the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
Programme countries
- Western Balkans and Turkey: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey.
- EU’s Eastern Partnership: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine.
Types of funding
Seed Funding
- Purpose: Preparatory projects, e.g., partner identification or development of a cooperation project.
- Amount: Up to SEK 200,000.
- Project Duration: Max 12 months.
- Note: A seed project does not guarantee future cooperation projects
Cooperation projects
- Purpose: Larger projects promoting knowledge exchange and capacity building.
- Amount: Up to SEK 2 million.
- Project Duration: Max 24 months.
- Application Deadline: February 11, 2025, for both seed funding and cooperation projects
SI Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme
Purpose and Target Group
The SI Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme supports projects where Swedish organisations address cross-border challenges and opportunities with organisations from EU countries in the Baltic Sea region and the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
Types of funding
Seed Funding
- Purpose: To lay the groundwork for future cooperation, e.g., needs analysis, application preparation, or concept development.
- Amount: Up to SEK 500,000.
- Project Duration: 6–15 months.
Cooperation projects
- Purpose: Development of networks, methods, and strategies or dissemination of knowledge and skills.
- Amount: Up to SEK 2 million.
- Project Duration: 12–24 months.
- Application Deadline: Opens in December, closes March 4, 2025, for both seed funding and cooperation projects.
Information Seminars
Information seminars will be held on January 15 and 28, 2025. Registration links can be found on the programme’s Swedish page.
Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP)
Purpose
SAYP aims to empower young professionals from EU Eastern Partnership countries with skills, networks, and inspiration to drive change within their organisations and home countries. The long-term goal is to strengthen democratic governance and EU alignment in these countries.
Target Group
Professionals aged 25–40 from the following countries:
EU’s Eastern Partnership: Armenia, Azerbaijan*, Belarus*, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine.
(*Only civil society participants are eligible from Azerbaijan and Belarus.)
Participants must work in politics, administration, business, or civil society and have strong English skills. Those who have previously participated in SAYP or received an SI scholarship are not prioritized but may be offered a reserve spot.
What Does Participation Entail?
- Time Commitment: At least 80 hours of active training.
- Physical Module: At least five consecutive days in one of the programme’s countries.
- Participants: A minimum of 25 participants per program.
Who Can Organise SAYP?
The organising body must form a partnership where a Swedish lead applicant cooperates with 1–5 international partners from participant countries. Eligible lead applicants include:
- Public authorities (e.g., municipalities, county councils, national agencies).
- Academic institutions (e.g., universities, research institutes).
- Non-profits or foundations.
- Intergovernmental organisations.
Programme Countries
Lead Applicant Country: Sweden.
Additional Participants:
- EU countries in the Baltic Sea region: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland.
- EU’s Eastern Partnership: Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine.
Funding
Grants of up to SEK 2.5 million can be used for:
- Planning and implementing the training program.
- Covering travel, accommodation, training venues, guest speakers, etc.
- Organising follow-up activities and mentorship.