General information on sports grants
The Sports Sub-committee of the Culture and Leisure Committee decides annually on the types of sports grants available for the following year, as well as their criteria and application periods. Applications are submitted and grants awarded in accordance with the current application guidelines Application guidelines 2026(Link leads to external service) (pdf), including the specified instructions and criteria.
In addition to the sports application guidelines, applicants must comply with the City of Helsinki’s general guidelines for grants(Link leads to external service) when applying for, using, and reporting on grants.
When applying for grants, please familiarise yourself carefully with the grant award criteria and the application guidelines.
Sports grants are applied for via the avustukset.hel.fi service. Links to the application forms can be found on the service pages for each specific type of grant.
Latest news on grants for sports
Recording of the General Grant Info Session
The information session in June presented the new criteria and conditions for awarding general grants. The event was held in Finnish.
Watch the recording of the event through this video(Link leads to external service) (YouTube video).
You can open the event’s presentation slides (PDF file).
Sports grants to be renewed in 2027
At its meeting on 31 March 2026, the Sports Sub-committee decided on a new general grant for sport.
From 1 January 2027 onwards, the general grant for sport will replace the following current grants: the operating grant, the facility use grant, grants for other associations promoting sport and physical activity, the orienteering map grant and the clearing grant.
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
On the sub-page for each grant, you will find information on the eligibility criteria and how and when to apply.
The purpose of the general grant is to support sports activities organised by sports clubs and other associations based in Helsinki. The grant is directed to sports activities organised for children and young people, the elderly and target groups of adaptive sports.
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.
The grant for promoting safer club activities is a grant for sports clubs and other associations organising sports activities in Helsinki, the aim of which is to develop sports activities to make them more responsible and safer.
Go to the page of the grant for promoting safer club activities.
The grant will be discontinued after 2026.
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.
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.
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(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.