Call for applications: FutureLab Europe – The Council of Young European Citizens

September 2 2016

Are you interested in European issues? FutureLab Europe focuses on enthusiastic young people between the ages of 20 and 30 who would like to take part in debates and influence the future of Europe. The primary focus in 2017 is on democratic values, equal opportunities for young people and European identity. Participants in the programme are given a chance to carry out a project related to these three core areas, e.g. a blog, a photo exhibition, a short film, a series of school visits or a series of debates.

Deadline for applications: 2 September 2016.

In February 2017, the participants in FutureLab Europe will meet in Brussels to take part in the FutureLab Europe Annual Forum. Here, they will get a chance to meet international decision makers and former FutureLab participants. They will learn about active citizenship and project management, and get help to develop their own project ideas. FutureLab contributes (limited) financial support for the projects. In autumn 2017, the participants will meet in Brussels again to present their projects and discuss their results.

All interested individuals in the 20-30 age bracket can apply, but it may be an advantage to have taken part in one of the relevant qualification initiatives under the auspices of the organising foundations. As far as the Fritt Ord Foundation is concerned, this applies to the Fritt Ord Competition, HIFO’s story competition (Eustory), student grants and project support. Twenty participants will be chosen from all across Europe.

Applicants should interested in Europe, have a strong social commitment and be interested in exchanging lessons learned and ideas about European issues. The working language will be English.

How can I apply?

The electronic application form and all necessary information about the programme, criteria for application and the selection process are available on the FutureLab Europe webpage.

Want to know more? Contact Adviser Anne-Lise Sognnes: anne.lise.sognnes@frittord.no

News

Eirin Larsen and Hadia Tajik join the Fritt Ord Board

August 5 2025

Eirin Larsen (36) and Hadia Tajik (42) bring valuable experience from journalism, technology, politics and jurisprudence to the Fritt Ord Board.

Making the film «Farouk» – on the geologist that secured Norway its oil

July 1 2025

Geologist Farouk Al-Kasim joined the the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate in 1968, shaping Norwegian petroleum resource management for decades afterwards. Now, documentary film director Halkawt Mustafa and producer Janne Hjeltnes are making a film about Al-Kasim’s life and reflections.
“Farouk tells me something in this film that he has not talked about before, because he has always told the version he feels Norway wanted to hear,” recounts Mustafa, who has Iraqi roots himself.

Read the interview with the director and see the list of grants awarded by Fritt Ord in June 2025.

Bård Vegar Solhjell new chair of the Fritt Ord Board

July 1 2025

Bård Vegar Solhjell (53) has taken over as the new chair of the Fritt Ord Foundation Board.

Cultural newspaper TBATBA.no and new journalism grants – June 2025

June 19 2025

– Cultural journalism is under pressure. Part of the problem is media outlets failing to cover culture in formats and ways that appeal to people under 30, says Ida Madsen Hestman, editor, freelance critic, and founder of TBATBA.no. Last year, she started the kind of publication she herself would want to read.

The magazine TBA is among those awarded funding in June 2025. See the full list of grants in Norsk Journalistikk.