New knowledge for gender equality in the Nordic region
Within the framework of the secretariat's Nordic assignment, several projects are being implemented to contribute to new knowledge and exchange of experience on equality in the Nordic region. The projects are carried out in collaboration with researchers and experts. The basis for the work is NIKK, Nordic information for knowledge about gender. NIKK is a co-operation body under the Nordic Council of Ministers, located at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research.
Apply for funding: Nordic Gender Equality Fund
The Nordic Gender Equality Fund finances collaborations that promote gender equality. Through the Fund, the Nordic Council of Ministers issues an annual call for proposals for funding projects in which at least three organisations, from at least three Nordic countries, collaborate. The aims of the projects can be to contribute new knowledge, a sharing of experiences or Nordic networks.
NIKK administers the Fund on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers, including calls for proposals, assessment of proposals, and monitoring of results.
Read more about the fund at the NIKK website.
External website
Apply for funding: Nordic LGBTI Fund
As of 2021, NIKK is administering the Nordic LGBTI Fund on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Fund aims to stimulate Nordic co-operation in the LGBTI area within the framework of the strategic supplement to the Nordic Co-Operation Programme on Gender Equality and its priorities.
Read more about the fund at the NIKK website.
External website
Effects of COVID-19 on gender equality
The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to new challenges in the area of gender equality and the Nordic Ministers for Gender Equality were early in calling for measures to prevent the coronavirus crisis from becoming a gender equality crisis. The gender dimension must also be taken into account in times of crisis.
The aim of this project is to contribute to the sharing of knowledge and experience between the Nordic countries concerning the effects of the pandemic on gender equality and to identify Nordic actors working with these issues. By learning from each other, the Nordic countries can become better equipped now and when faced with future crises.
The publication “Effects of COVID-19 on gender equality – Knowledge and initiatives in the Nordic countries” has been produced within the terms of reference of that project. This publication summarises what we know and brings together the Nordic countries’ gender equality initiatives and measures in relation to the pandemic. In focus are areas such as domestic violence (violence in intimate partner relationships), the economy and working life, and mental health.
NIKK will continue to monitor and work with issues related to the effects of the pandemic on gender equality during 2021.
External website
Hate crime and incidents against LGBTI people in the Nordic countries
The Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2021 has initiated a project focusing on hate crime and incidents against LGBTI people in the Nordic countries. NIKK has been tasked with mapping relevant strategies and initiatives in the Nordic counties. The aim of the project is to spread knowledge and share experience within the region.
The study was published in November 2021.
The well-being of young LGBTI people
In January 2020, Nordic co-operation within the Nordic Council of Ministers was extended to now also include work for equal rights, treatment and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries. During the Danish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers that same year, a Nordic project highlighting the well-being of young LGBTI people was initiated. The aim of the project is to spread knowledge and share experience within the region to help improve living conditions for young LGBTI people in the region.
NIKK has been commissioned to carry out the project and produce a report within these terms of reference.
The report will consist of two parts: a research overview describing current knowledge about the well-being of young LGBTI people in the Nordic countries; and a survey presenting a selection of initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of young LGBTI people in the Nordic countries.
The report was published 2021.
The living conditions and quality of life for older LGBTI people
Major surveys show that LGBTI people experience special challenges in life. However, we lack comprehensive knowledge about the living conditions challenges older lgbti persons experience.
The Norwegiean Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2022 has therefore taken the initiative for a project that will contribute to increased knowledge about the living conditions and quality of life for older LGBTI people in the Nordic countries, especiallyhow lgbti-persons are met by the public health and care services.
NIKK has been comissioned to:
Collect knowledge about how older LGBTI-persons are met by the public health and care services in the Nordic countries. Investigate the following areas:
- In health and care educations, what knowledge is part of the curriculum and among care workers and nurses and is there a need of more knowledge about lgbti-persons?
- What continuing education is available for employees in active service, regarding e.g. person-centered care and nursing, majority- and minority perspectives, especially related to gender identity and sexual orientation
- What the research says about the need for knowledge in the LGBTI field among the staff in the health and care services in the Nordic countries?
The study will be published in the fall 2023.
Young men’s mental ill-health
A joint issue in the Nordic countries is mental ill-health. Several studies show that mental ill-health is particularly increasing among youth and young adults, and that there are gender differences in mental ill-health in all age groups. Limiting masculinity norms affect the mental health of boys negatively. Boys’ and young men’s mental ill-health can also be linked to changed conditions in the world of work, declining school results and a low rate of transition to higher education. The ongoing Corona pandemic exacerbates this negative mental health development, which makes it particularly important to raise the issue.
The Norwegiean Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2022 has therefore taken the initiative for a project that will increase knowledge about young men’s mental ill-health by looking more closely at what causes the problems and what consequences they have in a life long perspective.
NIKK has been commissioned to produce a Nordic research overview, that documents and analyses the existing knowledge in the Nordic region and enables exchange of knowledge between the countries as well as between different fields of knowledge
