Learn more about the available grants
The "Application search" page contains information about all the grants that are available. Among other things, it outlines the different application criteria and timetables for the different grant types. Grant applications are judged by the application criteria. For this reason, it is a good idea to study carefully the criteria that affect the grant decision-making.
The City of Helsinki Divisions awards grants for the following activities:
- The City Board awards grants for the promotion of health and wellbeing, resident participation and general grants.
- The Education Division awards grants for afternoon activities for children that comply with the definition found in Finland's Basic Education Act.
- The Urban Environment Division awards grants for general assistance for environmental activities.
- The Culture and Leisure Division awards grants for the promotion of youth activities, sports and fitness, as well as art and culture.
- The Social Services, Healthcare and Rescue Services Division awards grants for organisations and actors that supplement and support statutory activities.
Video guide: How to apply for grants
Video guide: How to apply for grants
You can find a short video guide on Helsinki channel about applying for grants from the city of Helsinki.
General information about grants
Some of the grants can be applied for just once a year, while others may have several application periods throughout the year or the application period is open year-round. The different grant timeframes can be found on the "Application search" page, which contains information on each grant type's specific application periods and criteria.
Grants from the City of Helsinki can be awarded to legal entities, such as registered associations, foundations and limited companies, whose activities can be considered to contribute to the common good. City grants can also be awarded to unregistered associations, private individuals and action groups. The pages explaining each grant type contain information on the allocation of grants to different target groups. For each type of grant, there is a separate definition of whom the grant is intended for.
Activities receiving grants should primarily target Helsinki residents.
The activity receiving a grant must support and complement the activities and goals of the City of Helsinki Division awarding the specific grant. Factors that affect the awarding of grants include the systematic nature, scope and outcomes of the activities, the quality of services, the community’s expertise, the self-financing share of the applicant, and whether or not the grants awarded by the City in previous years were used for the intended purpose. When awarding grants, the body or public official awarding the grant also takes into account the impact of the activities and examines the usefulness and necessity of the grant applicant in the sector in which the body or public official operates.
The awarding of grants always follows the city's general principles and terms and conditions for grants, as well as possible separate instructions and clarifications given by the City Board or the body in the Division awarding the grant. The intended purpose of the grant is defined separately for each grant type and can be found on the pages explaining the different grant types.
General guidelines define the terms and conditions for grants and the general grant principles followed in the awarding of the City of Helsinki’s grants.
The City of Helsinki’s ethical partnership principles for grant allocation and cooperation with organisations.
Read more about the principles here(Link leads to external service) .
A step-by-step process of preparing a grant application
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Authorization
Check that your organisation has authorised you to act as its representative in the Suomi.fi e-service.
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Create a profile
Create an applicant profile in the Suomi.fi e-service(Link leads to external service) (requires a form of strong identification such as bank codes or Mobile ID) by filling in the required information.
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Read the information and choose a suitable grant
Familiarize yourself with the different types of grants as well as their criteria and application instructions. You can find more detailed information on the "Application search" and "Information about grants" pages.
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Gather the materials
Make the necessary preparations for filling out the application by collecting the required information and attachments.
Filling out the grant application
Fill out the application by describing the activity the grant is being applied for and listing the expenses that will be incurred. All of the necessary attachments must be added to the application for a grant to be awarded. The necessary attachments are listed on the application form and on the page describing the different grant types.
Application processing and grant decisions
Applications that have been submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Applications received within the application period are processed after the application period has ended and are prepared for consideration by the authority that decides on the grant in question, either the City Board or a Division body. Grant decisions are sent to every grant applicant, along with instructions for making a possible appeal.
Grant payment
The grant decision may set preconditions for grant payment or outline how the grant payment will be broken up into installments. For example, the grant decision may require that the grant is paid according to the actual expenses incurred, after a report on the use of the grant has been submitted.
If the grant decision has not outlined otherwise, the grant payments will be awarded as follows:
- grants under EUR 8,000 are paid all at once,
- grants between EUR 8,000 and 40,000 are paid in two installments, and
- grants over EUR 40,000 are paid in four installments.
Grant money that is not used must be returned to the City of Helsinki.
Grant use and report
The grant may only be used for the purpose specified in the grant decision. If the grant decision does not specify the purpose of use in more detail, the grant must be used for the purpose specified in the grant application in accordance with the guidelines and criteria applicable to the grant type in question.
The recipient of the grant must notify the City without delay of any significant changes affecting the use of the grant and agree on the use or repayment of the grant.
When applying for a new grant from the City of Helsinki, the grant applicant must submit a report on the use of any grants previously granted by the City, to the extent so required. Instructions for how and when to write the report can be found on the e-services' pages describing the different types of grants.