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In English

"The objective of the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation is to promote cultural links between these countries by supporting endeavours, in the form of subsidies out of the interest from the Foundation's capital, to increase knowledge about, and contacts between, the culture, economic life and people of both countries."

Clauses from the constitution, containing the objectives of the Foundation

Aim

The Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation aims to further cultural relations between Sweden and Finland by providing support for increased knowledge of, and contact between, the culture, economy and people of the two countries. To this end the Foundation dispenses project subsidies and travel grants. Each year the Foundation also makes a number of cultural awards, which, however, cannot be applied for. Over and above this the Foundation initiates its own projects.

The Cultural Foundation came into existence in 1960 after a decision by the Swedish government. At that time part of the interest, which Finland was to pay after the war on her national debt, was set aside for a foundation for cultural co-operation between the two countries. Half of the Foundation's original capital was placed in each country.

Finances

The Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation is the largest bilateral foundation in Scandinavia. In Finland its capital amounts to approximately 15 million euros. In 2004 some 1.5 million euros were set aside for subsidies and for the Foundation's own activities. In Sweden the capital amounts to approximately SEK 68 million:-. In 2004 approximately SEK 3.7 million:- were set aside for the Foundation's awards and project work.

The Board

The work of the Foundation is managed by a board comprising six members, three from Sweden and three from Finland. The board is appointed by the governments of the respective countries. The members are chosen for a period of three calendar years and individual deputies are appointed for each of the board members. The governments of Sweden and Finland also appoint one of the members from each country to serve in alternate years as chair and as vice chair. During 2005 minister Pär Stenbäck is the chairperson and county governor Anders Björck is vice chair. The board annually appoints a group of specialists whose task is to pronounce on the applications for awards which have come in.

Secretariat

The Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation has a secretariat in Finland. at the Hanaholmen Cultural Centre in Espoo, and one in Sweden, at the offices of The Norden Association in Sweden. The secretariat in Finland deals with applications for awards from applicants living and/or working in Finland. The secretariat in Sweden deals with applications for awards from applicants living and/or working in Sweden.