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

The Foundation provides grants and scholarships to support projects in different sectors of society and cultural life. These are available to professionals, amateurs, adults, and youth and child groups for co-operation in the field of art and culture, scientific research (especially in humanities and social sciences), language studies, study trips by student and pupil groups, and for learning more about one of the countries’ cultural, social and economic conditions, etc.

The Foundation also features proprietary activities each year. On 22 April 2009 the Foundation organised Nooran tyttäret (Noora’s daughters), a seminar on equality, in co-operation with the Norwegian embassy, the Nordic Institute in Finland (NIFIN) and the Hanasaari Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre. During the past year the Foundation has also honoured Norwegian celebrations and anniversaries, such as the dissolution of Norway’s union with Sweden and Norway’s road to independence 1905–2005, and Ibsen’s anniversary 1906.

The Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Foundation was founded in 1979. The Foundation’s capital is EUR 2 million in Finland (2008) and approximately NOK 7 million in Norway (2008), and its Board consists of six members (three from each country), each of whom have their personal deputies. The Finnish members of the Board are appointed by the Finnish Ministry of Education. The Foundation’s Finnish delegation consists of Minister Ole Norrback as Chairman, and director Ms Johanna Lindstedt and journalist Ms Terhi Width as members.

The Foundation also steers the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute in Oslo. It appoints the Institute’s Board and supports its activities by granting funds for the Institute’s projects.