Youth Call

The Terms of Reference is one document that describes the conditions for funding. >Download the Terms of Reference<

Applicants may select their preferred project duration - 6, 12, or 18 months - corresponding to maximum budgets of:

6 months --> 50.000 EUR
12 months --> 100.000 EUR
18 months --> 200.000 EUR

These are the maximum project budgets, including both Interreg NPA funding and partners’ contributions. For most partners, the grant covers 65% of the budget, while for Norwegian partners it covers 50%.

Start-up payment
Projects will have the possibility to receive a start-up lump-sum of up to 35.000 EUR or 50% of the total project budget, whichever is smallest. Of this lump sum, the Interreg NPA grant covers 65% (or 50% in case of Norwegian partners).

Following payments
After the start-up payment, projects submit a report every six months to confirm the planned deliverables. Once approved, a lump-sum payment is released, with the amount agreed at the start of the project based on the submitted budget.

The Youth Call is open to all types of organisations - public or private, experienced, or new to Interreg NPA projects. Any organisation working with or for young people (up to 35 years old) can participate, as long as they allow youth to have a meaningful role in delivering the project. 

Lead Partner
For any project, the Lead Partner must be a public organisation based in the Interreg NPA Programme Area, or with a national remit covering the region (e. g. National Agency, Environmental organisations, etc. ).

Partnerships requirements

• 6-month projects - involve partners from at least 2 programme partner countries, at least one of which from an EU Member State. Partnerships are recommended to include at least 2 of the 3 geographical zones of the programme area 1) Finland-Sweden-Norway; 2) Ireland; 3) Faroe Islands-Greenland-Iceland.
• 12- and 18-month projects - involve partners from at least 3 programme partner countries, at least one of which is from an EU Member State. The partnership is clearly of a transnational character. Partnerships are recommended to include at least 2 of the 3 geographical zones of the programme area 1) Finland-Sweden-Norway; 2) Ireland; 3) Faroe Islands-Greenland-Iceland.

Types of partners

• Lead partner - responsible for coordinating the project
• Project partner - joins the implementation, and co-creates the outputs, assigned budget
• Associated partner - provide vital expertise and networks, no budgets but certain costs can be covered by the linked partner

Read more about the Partnership and types of partners in the Programme Manual. 

Youth projects should connect like-minded organisations across the NPA regions, explore cooperation opportunities, and exchange knowledge, skills, and experiences. The goal is to both increase the cooperation capacity of public organisations and stakeholders, and to co-create solutions that respond to real needs in remote communities.

• 6-month projects (suitable for organisations with little or no experience in transnational cooperation) focus on building connections with like-minded organisations, exchanging ideas, and preparing future cooperation. Typical outcomes include stakeholder maps, draft project ideas, and proposals for networks or follow-up collaborations.
  
  
• 12-month projects (suitable for organisations with some experience in transnational cooperation and existing connections) support cooperation across regions to test ideas that have worked elsewhere, adapt them to local needs, and share knowledge through exchanges and workshops. Expected outcomes include feasibility studies and plans for implementation or scaling up.
  
  
• 18-month projects (suitable for organisations with experience in transnational cooperation and well-established networks) enable deeper cooperation. Projects are expected to put ideas into practice at local, regional, or national level and share results widely. Typical outcomes include tested solutions and policy recommendations.

To ensure that projects deliver solutions created by youth - for youth Interreg NPA has introduced specific youth criteria that all applications must meet. Note: by young people, the Interreg NPA Programme understands people age 35 and below.

• Youth-led: Young people play an active role in shaping the project - from developing ideas to carrying out activities and taking part in decision-making. Applicants should explain how youth contributed to the project design, how they will participate in activities, and how they will influence project governance.
  
  
• Youth-focused: The project addresses a challenge or need identified by young people, clearly showing how the solutions developed will benefit them.
  
  
• Youth-inclusive: At least one partner (including associated partners) must be a youth organisation - one that actively works on issues affecting young people in the Northern Periphery and Arctic. Examples can be found in the Terms of Reference.

If you’re unsure whether your application fulfills these criteria, please contact the Joint Secretariat.

Mandatory supporting documents to be submitted with JEMS application:

• PDF of signed Lead partner statement (download template)
• PDF of signed Project partner statements (download template)

Mandatory application attachments for enterprises submitted with JEMS application:

• The latest certified annual report for the enterprise in the application
• an extract from an official company register, identifying the enterprise in the application, preferably in English. (Download guidance)

The Programme Manual is the main guidance document for applicants and project managers. It contains the essential information needed for developing and implementing an Interreg NPA project.