Nordic-Baltic camps, meetings and seminars – funding for disability organisations making it possible

Disability organisations in the Nordic and Baltic countries can apply for funding for cooperation and networking activities. Around SEK 1.5 million is distributed every autumn to promote cooperation in the Nordic and Baltic region.

The activities that receive funding engage a broad spectrum of participants. Summer camps, conferences, seminars and yearly meetings are examples of networking activities funded by the Nordic Welfare Centre.

New Nordic friends at sign language camp

This summer, the Swedish Deaf Youth Association (SDUF) received funding for a Nordic camp for deaf and hear impaired children and youth. Participants from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden met in Säfsen in Dalarna, Sweden, and took part in activities and lectures all arranged in sign language.

– It was a fantastic camp week! The participants did not want it to end. It was a unique experience to be able to participate in activities in sign language and feel that everybody was on equal terms, says Jiin Najar, operations manager at SDUF.

The camp was arranged in close cooperation between Nordic deaf organisations. Jiin Najar explains that meeting in a Nordic setting gave the participants a strong sense of unity and belonging.

It was a fantastic camp week!

– The participants had the opportunity to get to know other young people with similar experiences, and exchange thoughts and ideas across nations’ borders. This strengthened their identity and understanding of how important it is that we support each other in the Nordic deaf community, Najar says.

The campers were inspired by the possibility to live wherever they want, and benefitted from meeting role models. They could exchange knowledge and make new friends.

– This helps them in their personal growth. It also helps them develop their skills in the international sign language, says Jiin Najar.

Nordic-Baltic meeting gave new facts and broader networks

Meetings for organisations for a specific disability or chronic disease provide valuable opportunities to learn about what is going on in the other Nordic countries, network and plan joint actions.

The Swedish Bleeding Disorder Society, (Förbundet Blödarsjuka i Sverige) arranged a Nordic-Baltic meeting in Stockholm in spring 2024, with almost 40 representatives from the five Nordic and three Baltic countries.

– The meeting went very well, and the response has been great, both from the speakers but particularly from the participants, says Therese Backus, head of office at the Swedish Bleeding Disorder Society.

The face-to-face meeting had a fact-packed agenda.

– We received valuable information from our national authorities about their work on a Nordic level, and about what can be improved when it comes to care and treatment, Backus summarises the meeting.

She also highlights the networking at the meeting, combined with workshops where cooperation and goals were discussed.

Best practices on a Nordic-Baltic scale

Discussing bleeding disorders in a Nordic-Baltic context is relevant for several reasons, Therese Backus explains.

– Despite our different systems, we have so many similarities, and from a health economics perspective, Nordic co-operation is far more important than European co-operation. In today’s context, with crises and threats looming, greater co-operation and consensus is crucial.

There are several advantages of patient organisations working together on a Nordic-Baltic scale.

– Cooperation makes it possible for us to exchange best practices, develop common guidelines and standards, and to influence policy makers to improve access to medicines and specialised care across the Nordic region, says Therese Backus.

New call for applications opening in September

The next round of funding from the Nordic Welfare Centre will be open from 30 September to 1 November 2024. Funding decisions will be taken before the end of the year.

National organisations, groups, or other civil society operators in the field of disability can apply for funding from the Nordic Welfare Centre. Applicants must be organised by, with, and for persons with disabilities or chronic diseases.

Before applying, read through the Funding scheme handbook (länk) to make the application as accurate as possible. The handbook is available in English and Swedish.

Activities resulting in Nordic added value

The funding scheme is part of the Nordic Programme for Cooperation on Disability 2023–2027. All activities that receive funding must have a connection to one of the three sub-areas of the programme: human rights, participation or free movement.

The activities shall contribute to Nordic benefit and added value by providing participants with a larger Nordic network of contacts and by promoting organisational and knowledge development.