A new Danish LGBTQ+ culture fund has been established to support, develop and preserve artistic and cultural projects across Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Regnbuefonden, whose name translates as the Rainbow Fund, will begin accepting applications on 1 September 2026.
The fund plans to support projects in areas including performing arts, literature and music, according to an announcement reported by TV 2 Kosmopol.
Its stated purpose is to strengthen cultural initiatives that are relevant to LGBTQ+ people and communities, while also helping preserve their contribution to the broader cultural history of the Danish Realm.
What the Danish LGBTQ+ culture fund will support
Regnbuefonden has not yet published detailed information about its available budget, the value of individual grants or the criteria that will be used to assess applications.
The fund has, however, identified a broad cultural remit covering theatre and other performing arts, books, music and community-based cultural initiatives. Eligible projects may be based not only in Denmark, but also in Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
This geographical scope gives the initiative a wider role than a fund focused exclusively on Copenhagen or mainland Denmark. It could provide support to artists and organisations working in communities where access to dedicated LGBT+ cultural funding and institutions is more limited.
“Culture creates understanding, community and hope,” chairperson Henrik Kristensen said in the fund’s announcement. “If we want a society where everyone can see themselves as a natural part of the story of Denmark, we must also invest in the artists, cultural projects and communities that tell those stories.”
The launch coincides with Copenhagen Pride
Regnbuefonden is being launched in connection with Copenhagen Pride 2026, which runs from 8 to 16 August. The annual event includes debates, concerts, community activities and cultural programmes, with the main parade scheduled for 15 August.
Copenhagen Pride describes its August programme as the largest and best-known part of its annual calendar. The organisation says its external programme includes events created by community groups, cultural institutions and other partners.
The Pride is marking its 30th anniversary in 2026. This year’s theme, “Pride: until the job is done!”, focuses on what the organisation describes as growing hostility towards LGBTQ+ communities in Denmark and abroad.
Preserving culture as well as funding new work
Regnbuefonden’s objectives combine support for new artistic production with the preservation of existing LGBTQ+ culture. This may include projects documenting experiences, cultural movements and communities that have historically received limited attention from mainstream institutions.
The initiative therefore enters a field that extends beyond public visibility during Pride events. Its longer-term significance will depend on the resources it can distribute, the accessibility of its application process and whether it can reach artists and organisations across all three parts of the Danish Realm.
Further details are expected before applications open on 1 September.
