Grants for sports

The City of Helsinki supports sports clubs and other associations organising sports activities by distributing some 9 million euros as grants each year. The grants include operating grants, grants for the use of sports facilities, as well as targeted grants for activities and events promoting physical activity and sports.

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 (2025, 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 (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

Information events on grants for sports (2025)

Information events regarding the application of grants for sports for the year 2025 are going to be organized at the turn of the year 2024-2025. The dates and methods of organizing the events are summarized below. The events are held in Finnish.

Tuesday 4.3.2025 17:00-19:00, application info event for sports grants: targeted grant for promoting safer club activities and grant to support regional sports activities, place: Microsoft Teams

Tuesday 14.1.2025 14:00 - 15:30, grants for the promotion of physical and cultural activities for the elderly: application info, place: Microsoft Teams

Thursday 9.1.2025 16:30 - 18:30, application info event for sports grants (2025) 1, place: Microsoft Teams

Monday 13.1.2025 17:00 - 19:00, application info event for sports grants (2025) 2, place: Konepajankuja 3B (Fredriksberg)

Wednesday 13.11.2024 , eligibility criteria for sports grants (2025), place: Microsoft Teams

The Sports Sub-Committee decided on the grant forms, eligibility criteria and application periods for the year 2025

At its meeting on November 7 2024, the Sports Sub-Committee of the Culture and Leisure Committee decided on the grant forms, eligibility criteria and application periods for sports grants for the year 2025. The grant criteria are specified in detail in the application guide (pdf, in Finnish).

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.

Read more about communication on sports grants here.

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.

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.

The grant for other associations promoting physical activity is a general grant intended for sports clubs and other associations that organize 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 other organizations for the purpose of organizing sports events. The event must take place in Helsinki and it must involve physical activity of Helsinki residents.

Go to the event grant page.

The targeted grant is a discretionary grant for targeted sports and exercise activities. Sports clubs are eligible to apply for targeted grants in 2025. 

Go to the 2025 targeted grant page.

Go to the 2024 targeted grant page.

The orienteering map grant is a grant awarded to sports clubs to cover the production costs of orienteering maps printed in previous year. An orienteering map grant can be awarded to sports clubs that receive an operating grant for sports in the same year.

Go to the orienteering map grant page.

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.

Go to the start grant page.

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.

Go to the page for the grant for the promotion of sport and physical activity for the elderly.

Grant to support regional sports activities is a discretionary grant for low-threshold sports activities and development work for children and young people aged 9-18 in Helsinki. The grant can be awarded for activities in suburban regeneration areas or in specifically designated areas based on need. Registered sports clubs and other associations that promote sports in Helsinki can apply for the grant.

Go to the page for grant to support regional sports activities.

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 .

Contact details

For personalised guidance on sports grants, contact a sports services coordinator.

Find contact details for the pertinent sports services personnel here.