We’re so excited to announce that Kickstarter is now available to creators in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Ireland — four countries with amazing cultural histories and creative populations. From LEGO to Röyksopp to The Seventh Seal to James Joyce, these countries have contributed some amazing stuff to our world. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

Starting now, people in Scandinavia and Ireland can start building their projects here. On October 21, those projects can be launched to the public. We’ll send an email that day letting everyone know when exactly they can click the launch button.

Here’s how it will work:

So Scandinavian and Irish creators can start building their Kickstarter projects as early as today, and launch them beginning in October?

Yes. We thought a few weeks would give everyone plenty of time to build and tweak their projects — film a great video, develop awesome rewards — before launching.

Will there be a Scandinavia-specific or Ireland-specific Kickstarter site?

Nope — Scandinavian and Irish projects will join the worldwide community of Kickstarter projects. But if you only want to see projects from home, you can search Kickstarter by location!

Can people outside Scandinavia and Ireland pledge to Scandinavian and Irish projects?

Yes! As with all other projects on Kickstarter, backers can pledge to projects no matter where they are.

What currency will Scandinavian and Irish projects be listed in?

Local currency for everyone! Danish kroner, Swedish kronor, Norwegian kroner, and the euro in Ireland. You can use your local banking and business details, and if your project is successfully funded, pledges will be collected in your local currency and transferred to you.

What payment methods are accepted for pledges?

Right now, pledges can be made with any Visa, MasterCard, or American Express card.

What language should my project be in?

Use whatever language works best for your project. But we do recommend that all projects also include an English version of their description, rewards, and other important elements. Kickstarter is a global community, and including translations will definitely help your project have a wider appeal. It also makes it easier for us to help you and your backers if a problem comes up.

What are the fees?

Kickstarter only collects a fee when a project is successfully funded. If that happens, we charge 5%. The partners that process payments for us also charge a fee, which varies depending on where you’re located. For more info, see here. If a project is not successfully funded, there are no fees.

Who can launch a project?

Almost anyone! You need to be at least 18 years old, and you should be a permanent resident of a country where Kickstarter has launched. You have to start the project in your own name, or on behalf of a legal entity with a valid business number. And you’ll need things like a mailing address, bank account, identification, and a major credit or debit card.

What about taxes?

In general, funds raised on Kickstarter are subject to taxes. That said, how much you owe can vary based on a number of factors. We highly recommend talking to an accountant or tax advisor. They can guide you through your particular tax scenario in the most advantageous way possible.