General information about grants for sports
The Sport Sub-committee of the City of Helsinki Culture and Leisure Committee decides each autumn on the types of grants, eligibility criteria and application periods for the following year’s grants for sports. Grants are applied for and awarded in accordance with the currently valid application guide(Link leads to external service)(pdf) and criteria. In addition to the application guide for grants for sports, applicants must comply with the general grant allocation guidelines of the City of Helsinki(Link leads to external service) (pdf) when applying for, using and reporting on grants.
When applying for grants, please read carefully the grant awarding criteria and the application instructions.
Grants for sports are applied for in the avustukset.hel.fi web service. Links to the application forms are found on the service pages specific to grant type.
Latest news on grants for sports
The Sports Sub-committee awarded a total of 8,33 million euros as grants at its meeting 11 April 2024
The Sport Sub-committee made decisions on grants directed towards promotion of sport and physical activity for 2024 at its meeting on 11 April 2024. On the meeting agenda were operating grants and facility usage grants for sports clubs as well as grants for other associations promoting sport and physical activity and grants for the promotion of sport and physical activity for the elderly, the latter of which being awarded from escheats managed by the City of Helsinki.
Read more and find links to the individual decisions here (in Finnish).
Application period for operating grants, facility usage grants and grants for other associations promoting physical activity ends on 15 February 2024
Two application information events were held in January. A link to a recording(Link leads to external service) (in Finnish, 4 January 2024)
Current information regarding sports grants are also updated in the news articles on the avustukset.hel.fi website. Go to the news feed(Link leads to external service).
Communication on grants for sports
In addition to the city’s website, clubs and associations are informed about sports grants by email, in the sports partner newsletter and via the Liikuntaseurat Helsingissä Facebook group.
Grant types
Grants for sports are divided into general and targeted grants. On the sub-page for each grant type, you will find information on the eligibility criteria and how and when to apply.
An operating grant is a general grant for sports clubs. The operating grant is awarded on a discretionary basis based on calculated criteria.
Click here to go to the operating grant page.(Link leads to external service)
A sports facility usage grant is a discretionary grant awarded for activities that take place outside the sports facilities owned by Sports Services. A facility usage grant can be awarded to sports clubs that receive an operating grant for sports in the same year.
Go the page for the sports facility usage grant.(Link leads to external service)
The grant for other associations promoting physical activity is a general grant intended for sports clubs and other associations that organise sports activities. Clubs and associations that are not eligible for an operating grant can apply for the grant.
Go to page for the grant for other associations promoting physical activity.
The event grant is a grant provided to registered associations, companies and organisations for the purpose of organising sports events. The event must take place in the City of Helsinki, and it must involve physical activity of Helsinki residents.
The targeted grant is a discretionary grant for targeted sports and exercise activities. Sports clubs and other associations organising sports activities are eligible.
Go to the targeted grant page.(Link leads to external service)
The orienteering map grant is a grant awarded to sports clubs to cover the production costs of orienteering maps printed in previous year.
A start grant may be awarded to a registered sports club that has been active for less than one year. The start grant is EUR 500.
The grant is a discretionary targeted grant meant for sport and physical activity that support the wellbeing and functional capacity of the elderly in Helsinki. Associations and foundations can apply for the grant.
Guidance and support
Is anything unclear? You may find the answer to your question on the guidance and support page. The page contains information on matters such as the e-services and logging into the services.
Go to the page on guidance and support for sports grants(Link leads to external service).
Contact details
For personalised guidance on sports grants, contact a sports services coordinator.
Find contact details for the pertinent sports services personnel here.