The Nordic Council formed in 1971, is the forum for Nordic governmental co-operation, joining together Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

Culture is one of their policy cooperation areas and the Nordic Culture Point is the organism in charge. Since the 1980s, the Nordic Council of Ministers has initiated and organised cultural projects with countries and regions outside the Nordic region. It provides grants for projects, finance research scholarships and organise exchange progammes to stimulate and increase Nordic co-operation.See also: Nordic Culture Fund.