BackSwedish Institute launches programme for project funding in the Baltic Sea region and EU’s Eastern Partnership countries
The Swedish Institute has launched the SI Baltic Sea and Eastern Partnership Programme, a new project funding programme that supports sustainable development, democratic processes and societal resilience in a rapidly changing regional context. The programme enables cooperation between actors in the Baltic Sea region and the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries.
With SI Baltic Sea and Eastern Partnership Programme, the Swedish Institute is taking a cohesive approach to cooperation in the region. Several previous project funding schemes and training programmes are now replaced by a single, consolidated programme for the Baltic Sea region and the EU Eastern Partnership countries. The programme enables public authorities, universities, municipalities, organisations and other actors to deepen their international cooperation between partners in the Baltic Sea region and in the EU Eastern Partnership countries.
Two geographic strands
The two geographic strands reflect the region’s most central societal challenges.
Projects within the Baltic Sea region strand must focus on shared societal challenges and opportunities in line with the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Action Plan, and be based on its relevant actions, thereby contributing to its overarching objectives: Save the Sea, Connect the Region, and Increase Prosperity.
Within the strand targeting countries in the EU’s Eastern Partnership, the focus is on strengthening democratic development, increasing respect for human rights and the rule of law, and advancing gender equality in the programme countries.
Built on partnership – and on the future
The new programme is built on a central idea: that development occurs when organisations meet and share experiences, methods and knowledge. By promoting knowledge exchange, method development and the establishment of new cooperation structures, the programme aims to contribute to results that last beyond the project period and strengthen long-term sustainable societal development.
To meet the diverse needs of the region, the programme offers three types of funding. Smaller seed funding projects can be used to initiate and test new forms of cooperation, while larger cooperation projects provide scope to further develop and deepen cooperation.
In addition, there is the possibility to implement structured training programmes targeting groups within the EU Eastern Partnership countries. Together, these three forms of support enable actors to choose the level that best matches their ambition and stage of cooperation.
A call is now open and the deadline for submitting applications is 19 May 2026.
Full information on eligible countries, partnership requirements, instructions and the application process are available on the programme’s webpage.
The page also describes how the two geographic strands are designed and the opportunities they offer.
SI will carry out information seminars at the beginning of April.
More information on the SI wewsite.
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