The aim of the Finnish-Danish Foundation is to promote relations and cultural exchange between Finland and Denmark and to increase the countries’ mutual awareness and knowledge.

The Foundation provides grants and scholarships to support projects in different spheres of society and cultural life. These are available to professionals, amateurs, adults, and youth and child groups for co-operation in the fields of art and culture, scientific research (especially humanities and social sciences), language studies, study trips by student and pupil groups, and for learning more about either country’s cultural, social and economic conditions. The Foundation prioritises projects that have the ability to introduce new themes and operators into the versatile cultural exchange between the countries.

The Foundation features annual, independent activities that aim at raising topical issues into social discussion between Finland and Denmark. The events supported by the Foundation during the past year have discussed Finnish and Danish teacher training, new Scandinavians in the labour market, and Finland’s and Denmark’s preparations for the United Nations Climate Conference COP15 to be held in Copenhagen in 2009.

The Finnish-Danish Cultural Foundation was founded in 1982. The Foundation’s capital is EUR 1 million in Finland (2009) and approximately DKK 4.7 million in Denmark (2009). Its Board consists of eight members (four from each country), with personal deputies for each of them. The Finnish members of the Board are appointed by the Finnish Ministry of Education. The Foundation’s Finnish delegates are currently CEO Mr Juha Rantanen as Chairman and ballet master Mr Kenneth Greve, Professor John Westerholm and author Ms Rosa Liksom as members. The Foundation’s Secretary General and referendary is Director Ms Gunvor Kronman.