Funding solutions
This page contains information on funding-related concepts, different funding mechanisms, and organisations that grant funding and other support that can also be utilised by social enterprises in planning their own revenue model and finding funding options that are suitable for their own activities.
Funding for a social enterprise
A social enterprise needs funding to launch its operations, grow, and develop new services and products. By funding, we mean investing in the enterprise’s operations either when there is not yet any invoiceable income or with the aim of taking steps towards growth. Non-profit corporations, such as associations and foundations, may apply for grants or a money collection permit for their non-profit activities. This funding cannot be used to finance their business activities. We have also compiled a list of these funding mechanisms here on this site.
Social enterprises do not have their own funding mechanisms; instead, the funding of a social enterprise works in the same way as for other companies. In addition to self-financing, the launch of an enterprise can be funded by means of a bank loan, separate crowdfunding, or gathering a larger group of enterprise owners. An entrepreneur in a social enterprise may also receive start-up assistance.
As activities grow or new services and products are developed, it is also possible to apply for public funding such as business development aid or an innovation voucher. In the growth phase, external investors and loan funding are also possible options.
When applying for funding for business activities, make sure to have considered / drawn up the following:
- A credible business plan
- Profitability and funding calculations
- A plan for what funding is needed (e.g. marketing, competencies, market consultation, product/service development)
- Whether you are willingness to cede shareholdings in the enterprise, and how you will safeguard the social mission of the enterprise in such situations.
Funding of innovation activities
Developing new services and operating models for solving societal challenges is at the core of social enterprise activities. Funding for this social innovation activity can be obtained, for example, through crowdfunding, business support funding intended for the development of services, or EU funding that is focused on themes of socially and ecologically sustainable development. Many non-profit associations and foundations have also developed social innovation through public financial aid.
When considering funding options, and especially when preparing to apply for funding, it is a good idea to first discuss with the funding provider your business idea and the details of the funding.
Private funding for companies
A bank can provide various kinds of help for business activities, such as bank loans. In order to grant the loan, the bank requires not only a well-functioning business idea but also creditworthiness and collateral. It the business already has other funding available, it is easier to obtain a bank loan.
In addition to bank loans, other forms of funding are often available, such as:
- credit limits
- leasing funding
- credit accounts
- bond arrangements
- funding from receivables and sales
Crowdfunding refers to funding collected from the general public through an online platform. Crowdfunding is suitable for a wide range of organisations, whether as early-stage funding or for the development of new innovations.
The different forms of crowdfunding are:
- Donations (requires a money collection permit)
- Remunerated (prize or advance order)
- Loan
- Investment
Crowdfunding for an option for organisations, entrepreneurs and private individuals. Platforms for collecting crowdfunding can be found online. Marketing one’s own business idea and generating interest in it is very important, as this can help to gather a wider group of potential funders. The amount of funding obtained depends on the particular funders involved and how successfully the business idea is marketed. Mapping out networks, the target group and the different funding providers lays the foundation for obtaining funding.
Crowdfunding refers to funding collected from the general public through an online platform. Crowdfunding is suitable for a wide range of organisations, whether as early-stage funding or for the development of new innovations.
The different forms of crowdfunding are:
- Donations (requires a money collection permit)
- Remunerated (prize or advance order)
- Loan
- Investment
Crowdfunding for an option for organisations, entrepreneurs and private individuals. Platforms for collecting crowdfunding can be found online. Marketing one’s own business idea and generating interest in it is very important, as this can help to gather a wider group of potential funders. The amount of funding obtained depends on the particular funders involved and how successfully the business idea is marketed. Mapping out networks, the target group and the different funding providers lays the foundation for obtaining funding.
If a business’s goal is societal impact, it makes sense to find investors who share the same values. Impact investing is investment activity that aims both for measurable, positive social or environmental impacts and for a financial return. In investment activities, an investor buys a share of the business and expects a return on their investment. This is also true for impact investing.
Capital investment is a form of investment in which a venture capital company collects from investors a fund which it uses to invest in growth companies. A capital investor also often actively helps the business to grow, for example by participating in the business board. The capital investor often owns the business for three to seven years, after which the company – which now has a higher value – is sold onwards.
Read more about capital investments on the website of the Finnish Venture Capital Association.
Angel investors are private individuals who invest at an early stage in enterprises that are aiming for strong growth. In addition to providing capital, business angels can help by sharing advice and helping with networking. Typical angel investments are in the range €10,000–100,000.
Alternative loan providers provide funding particularly for the acute needs of small companies, such as payroll, acute repairs and renewals or other unexpected expenses. These loans are usually in the range of a few thousand to a few tens of thousands of euros. The loan periods are short and interest rates are high compared to more traditional loans. Their advantage is fast processing times and the ability to access funds quickly, as long as one’s credit information is in order.
Bank funding does not therefore mean just secured loan arrangements – there are also many other options.
peer-to-peer lending company acts as the loan intermediary, meaning that it receives a commission for its service. This commission may mean that the peer-to-peer lending company takes, for example, a subscription fee from investors, which may be 1–3% of the amount invested. Peer-to-peer lenders are often categorised as a type of shadow bank. In addition, the peer-to-peer lending company charges a separate fee from the business receiving the loan. A good assumption would be that the peer-to-peer lender receives, as their total fee for the service offered, a sum equal to around 7–10% of the initial loan capital.
Peer-to-peer loans are one of the newer ways of funding business operations. Peer-to-peer loans fall into the same category as shadow banks. In peer-to-peer lending, a person or organisation acts as a loan intermediary between the borrower and the lenders. A peer-to-peer loan is suitable, for example, for a business that needs longer-term funding at a lower interest rate than is usually available for loans from shadow banks. The loan intermediary usually collects a fee consisting of a share of the investment amounts (e.g. 1–3%) and a fee from the borrowing business. The annual interest rate for the borrowing business is approximately 15–20%. This puts the costs at somewhere between a normal bank loan and a short-term shadow bank loan.
The size of a peer-to-peer loan is usually six figures or higher. Applying for such a loan is a rather slow process, and getting peer investors on board requires a lot of work from the entrepreneur applying for the loan.
A small business may have relatively large customers to whom goods or services are sold as large invoices with long payment periods. Entrepreneurs, however, often need funds for their own payments within shorter time frames. In such cases, one solution may be invoice funding. This is where the entrepreneur sells their outstanding invoices to the funding company and receives a loan in return. Invoice funding is a good way for many companies to finance current expenses.
Money collections are activities subject to a permit or notification in which money is collected from the public without any remuneration, i.e. nothing is received in return for the donation. With certain exceptions, money collections requires either a money collection permit granted by the National Police Board or a notification of a small-scale money collection made to one’s local police department. Application for such permits can be made online. A permit may be granted to an association, foundation or religious community engaged in non-profit activities for the funding of such non-profit operations. It is not necessary that the entire activities of the entity are not-for-profit, but the funds obtained through the money collection must be used exclusively for non-profit purposes. In addition, permits may be granted to certain other parties listed in the Act, including universities and universities of applied sciences.
A small-scale money collection is one which is limited in time and size: it may last for a maximum of three months and may collect a maximum of €10,000. In addition to non-profit associations and foundations, small-scale money collections may be organised by an unregistered group made up of at least three natural persons.
Learn more about small-scale money collections on The Police of Finland website.
Sponsorship refers to remunerated cooperation which benefits both parties. The sponsor gains visibility for its operations and strengthens its own brand, while the sponsor receives funding or a valuable asset.
Public funding
Form taken: Financial support.
Target group: Discretionary government grants can be provided to organisations (e.g. associations and foundations), businesses, housing companies, municipalities, joint municipal authorities, and higher education institutions.
Size of funding: From hundreds of euros to tens of millions of euros. The applicant’s operations must be economically sustainable, as the discretionary government grant only covers part of the costs.
Focus: Focus areas vary for different application rounds.
Important details: Discretionary government grants are provided as either general grants or special grants. When investigating funding sources, it is advisable to look at the grants awarded by the administrative branch most closely related to one’s own project or activities. Many special grants may be suitable for funding social innovations. Discretionary government grants are discretionary funding granted from state funds to support socially necessary activities or projects. Government grant authorities are responsible for distributing the grants. These authorities include ministries, Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres), and Regional State Administrative Agencies
The link below provides a summary of general information on grants provided by some government grant authorities and a list of links to more detailed information. Frequently asked questions about discretionary government grants (in Finnish) .
Form taken: Appropriation.
For whom: Social enterprises, organisations, foundations, municipalities and various other actors, including universities, universities of applied sciences and other educational institutions.
Size of funding: The total amount of funding distributed annually is approximately €2 million.
Focus: Experimental and developmental projects for health promotion as well as research projects and programmes that support health promotion. Support may be granted to projects that support the implementation of national health promotion programmes. The priority areas for funding are published annually. The priorities for 2023 are strengthening municipal well-being management, strengthening coordination of health and well-being promotion, reducing loneliness, introducing nature-based methods, and developing the content and methods of preventive drug and intoxicant work.
Important details: The duration of the projects ranges from one to three years. Appropriations are not provided for commercial activities or preparations for such, and funding can only be provided if it is assessed to cause no more than slight distortions to competition and other market activities. Upon project completion, the project results and outputs must be openly available to all.
Application periods: The application period begins in May each year.
Further information on health promotion appropriations (in Finnish).
Form taken: Project grant (C grant), targeted operating grant (Ak grant), general grant (Ay grant) and investment grant (B grant)
For whom: Legal, registered and non-profit organisations, foundations, cooperatives and limited companies. Grants are not provided to individuals, government agencies, municipalities or parishes, self-employed persons pursuing economic interests, companies and cooperatives.
Size of funding: The grants usually range from €5,000 to €3,000,000, depending on the scope of the project.
Focus: Promotion of health and social welfare. Applications are evaluated in relation to the target group, taking into account needs, objectives and expected results. It is important to carefully structure the effect and impact chain (pdf, in Finnish) for the planned activities.
Important details: New investment grants are provided in one go for the entire implementation period, up to a maximum of three years. The issuing of the grant must not significantly distort competition and market operations.
Application periods: New grants can be applied for in April–May. Applications for extensions of current grants can be made in August–September. Further information about STEA application times and application processing.
Form taken: The grant may be either a general grant for the beneficiary’s activities or a special grant for a project or investment.
For whom: Grants are provided to municipalities and joint municipal authorities, associations, foundations, limited companies and other registered organisations.
Size of funding: The total budget for currently open application rounds can be found in the details for each round. The total size of issued grants is usually in the range of €1–6 million.
Focus: The Ministry of Education and Culture uses discretionary government grants to support activities and projects related to education, science, culture, sports and youth work. The primary source of information is the details and requirements listed in the call for applications.
Important details: Click here to view the application periods for grants issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture (in Finnish).
Further information on grants provided by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Form taken: Grant.
For whom: The Ministry of Justice provides project-based government grants on varying themes that relate to its areas of responsibility, such as crime prevention and reduction. These grants are available to a wide range of applicants, including organisations, associations, foundations, municipalities, joint municipal authorities, and congregations
Size of funding: The grants provided in 2021 were in the range of around €1,000–960,000. The size of previously issued grants is recorded in each section of the Ministry of Justice’s website.
Focus: The grants are aimed at promoting the implementation of human rights, equality, democracy and a socially sustainable society.
Important details: Detailed criteria and application periods for each section are published on the ministry’s website. Applicants must be able to pay the self-funding component, as Ministry of Justice grants generally cover only 90% of total costs. The issuing of the grant must not significantly distort competition and market operations.
Further information on the funding programmes of the Ministry of Justice (in Finnish).
Form taken: Loans and grants.
For whom: Small and medium-sized enterprises. Large companies and research organisations can receive funding for joint projects with SMEs. Public funding and investment support for companies operating in the innovation sector or in technical development or research. In principle, non-profit foundations and organisations can apply for funding, but it may be difficult to obtain in practice because assessment is made of growth and export targets, which may be challenging for the organisational forms in question. Organisations of this type can more easily receive a share of funding granted by Business Finland when operating as part of a larger consortium.
Size of funding: The maximum grant size for €100,000.
Focus: Research, development and innovation activities, growing operations, and internationalisation.
Important details: Business Finland aims to promote exports and to draw foreign investment to Finland.
Form taken: Finnvera supplements bank funding and also acts as the sole funder.
For whom: Small and medium-sized enterprises.
Size of funding: Supplements bank funding or, provided the need for funding does not exceed €50,000, can act as the sole funder.
Focus: Launching business activities, growing operations, internationalisation and minimising export risks. Finnvera takes long-term social, ecological and financial responsibility into account in its operations.
Important details: Funding should first be sought from one’s own bank: only turn to Finnvera if bank funding is not possible. Finnvera normally provides around 50% of external funding, with the maximum level being 80%. Finnvera can guarantee 80% of a start guarantee granted by the bank, up to a maximum of €80,000. For SME guarantees, Finnvera’s share of the guarantee is always 80% of the bank loan, up to a maximum of €120,000.
Form taken: An individual funding model is tailored for the customer. This may include capital, mezzanine finance or a loan.
For whom: Market-based funding for private companies. Finnfund prefers that projects receiving investment engage in cooperation with Finnish companies, but this is not mandatory. Finnfund funds companies established and operating in developing countries which relate to Finnish interests. The focus is on sectors related to sustainable development. A business funded by Finnfund must promote the economic and social development of countries classified as developing countries by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Support is provided by guiding intellectual and material resources to develop industrial and other economic business activities in these countries. The company’s purpose is not to generate profits for shareholders.
Size of funding: The amounts provided are in the range €1–25 million.
Focus: Finnfund invests in economically viable projects that support sustainable development and are run by ethically responsible companies that either currently operate in developing countries or are set to be established in such countries. Based on country-specific decisions made by the Government, the company may also carry out the above-mentioned activities in countries other than those classified as developing countries.
Important details: Loan period 5–10 years. The security required is determined by the risk level, size of funding and other considerations. The funding decision is made within approximately 3–4 months of the applicant’s first inquiry. Finnfund is a state-owned company that comes under the administrative branch of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. There is a requirement that at least 51% of the company’s shares be owned by the state. Under the established terms and conditions, the State may provide a company with commitments that it will compensate the company for any losses incurred in its lending and guarantee operations, any losses and decreases in value in its share and equity investments refunding, and any exchange losses arising from the company’s non-euro-denominated loan, within the limits specified in the state budget.
More detailed information on the Finnfund Act.
Form taken: Business partnership support.
For whom: Finnpartnership provides Finnish companies and organisations with advice, funding and contacts for business activities in developing countries. Finnpartnership’s services are free and intended for companies, educational institutions, NGOs and other actors.
Size of funding: The support covers 30%, 50%, 70% or 85% of the costs of the approved project budget.
Focus: The aid is intended for commercial, collaborative and profitable start-ups that are long-term and aimed at developing countries. Support can be granted for analysis, piloting and training phases as well as for the development of existing business activities. The projects must create positive development in their target countries. Applications are assessed on the basis of the projects’ economic, social and ecological sustainability.
Important details: Finnpartnership maintains matchmaking service, which can be used to find potential business partners in developing countries. It also runs application workshops once a month. Finnpartnership is a business partnership programme funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and managed by Finnfund. Its task is to promote business between Finland and developing countries.
Form of funding: Project funding and trial funding.
For whom: Sitra launches and implements projects together with private, public and third sector actors.
Amount of funding: The size of the funded projects varies from small projects that last a few months to larger projects that last for several years. Sitra also conducts small-scale trials to find solutions and new operating approaches for accelerating social change. Sitra seeks partners for small-scale trials by making calls for ideas. Information on calls for ideas is published in Sitra’s event calendar.
Focus: To receive funding, a project must be related to Sitra’s themes and practical work. Sitra’s themes are democracy and engagement, sustainability solutions and fair data economy.
Please note: There is no specific funding call for applications or application form. If you have a project idea related to one of Sitra’s themes, you can contact the person in charge of the respective theme.
Form taken: Grant.
For whom: Small and medium-sized enterprises which have less than 250 employees. Applicants must have either a turnover of max €50 million or a balance sheet of max €43 million. Non-profit actors may receive grants for the procurement of expert services to support the development of service business activities if the actor is able to demonstrate that it is engaged in commercial business.
Size of funding: The grant covers a maximum of 50% of the wage, consultancy, travel, conference participation or similar expenses. For investments, funding can be provided for 10–35% of total expenditure.
Focus: Launching, developing and internationalising a business.
Important details: The aim of the business funding provided by ELY Centres is to have the greatest possible impact on regional vitality and the development of business activities. The funding does not cover all costs, so there must also be other funding for the implementation of the project. During the planning phase, you can contact the ELY Centre’s experts to find out if the project would be a suitable for a grant and receive help with making an application.
Further information on business development assistance (in Finnish).
Form taken: Grant.
For whom: Non-profit public and private organisations and foundations.
Size of funding: The grants cover up to a maximum of 80% of project expenses and 45% of project investments.
Focus: The grants are awarded to development projects that directly contribute to the establishment, growth or development of SMEs in a particular region.
Important details: During the planning phase, you can contact the ELY Centre’s experts to find out if the project would be a suitable for a grant and receive help with making an application. The funding does not cover all costs, so there must also be other funding for the implementation of the project.
Further information on operating environment development assistance (in Finnish).
Form taken: Government grants or investment grants.
For whom: As a rule, funding from Regional State Administrative Agencies is intended for municipalities. However, some funding may be applied for by organisations and foundations with legal capacity that have a valid agreement with a municipality or municipalities for activities to be implemented in those municipal areas. In addition, registered organisations providing youth services at the local level can apply for special grants for recreational activities for young people.
Size of funding: In most applications, the grant covers no more than 80% of total costs. In previous years, the size of grants has ranged between €1,000 and €1,000,000, with an average of around €30,000.
Focus: Regional State Administrative Agencies provide government grants for different kinds of projects and activities related to young people’s recreational activities and well-being, library development, and the promotion of physical exercise.
Important details: The call for applications specifies the detailed priorities and criteria for each grant.
Form taken: Financial support.
For whom: Persons who are aiming to become full-time entrepreneurs and have sufficient skills for their target business activities. The applicant may be an unemployed jobseeker, an employed person, a student or a part-time entrepreneur who is aiming to become full-time.
Size of funding: For 2022, the start-up grant was €34.50/day (approx. €700/month) for a maximum of 12 months. The grant is paid for a five-day week.
Focus: New business activities and employment.
Important details: When making decisions on grants, the competitive situation in the business’s sector and operating area is taken into account. This ensures that the business has a good chance of success.
Form taken: A pay subsidy is a discretionary subsidy intended for the employment of an unemployed jobseeker.
For whom: All employers, with the exception of government agencies and institutions, are eligible to receive pay subsidies. The requirements for receiving a pay subsidy are that the subsidy does not distort competition, the employer is committed to paying the wages specified in the collective agreement, and the employer has fulfilled its statutory obligations.
Size of funding: Pay subsidies can cover 50% of wage costs or 70% if the jobseeker only has partial work ability. In certain situations, an association, foundation or registered religious community may receive a pay subsidy of 100% of salary costs.
Focus: The criteria for granting a pay subsidy depends on the situation of the potential employee. This person must check with their own official contact person the criteria for pay subsidies and their right to receive one.
Important details: Application for a pay subsidy must be made before the start of the employment relationship either via the Enterprise and Employer E-Services of the business and employer or using a printable form.
For whom: Private and public organisations with an accounting obligation that pay worker’s compensation insurance.
Size of funding: The funding is determined on the basis of justified and realistic project costs.
Focus: The Occupational Safety and Health Fund funds research, development and communications projects that promote occupational safety, health, productivity and working life relationships in Finnish workplaces. The project must be within the field of operation of the Occupational Safety and Health Fund and must have novelty value.
Important details: These are no theme-based applications, but the Occupational Safety and Health Fund is interested in funding social enterprises. Funding granted to organisations cannot equal 100% of project costs, nor can the funding cover the costs of the organisation’s normal operations. The proportion of self-funding is not pre-defined, but a higher share of self-funding (or funding from elsewhere) improves the application.
Further information on funding options from the Occupational Safety and Health Fund (in Finnish).
The various grants provided by foundations may be suitable for funding social innovations or, for example, for funding innovation-related research. There are numerous foundations that provide grants for different focus areas. The Research.fi service provided by the Ministry of Education and Culture compiles and shares information on research carried out in Finland. The website contains an up-to-date list of grants and financial aid awarded by foundations.
Form taken: Financial support.
For whom: This funding is aimed at encouraging different actors to invest in clean energy and industry and create jobs that support sustainable development. Applicants may be companies, public actors or consortia.
Size of funding: The Innovation Fund has separate application rounds for large and small projects. Large-scale projects have a capital expenditure of more than €7.5 million, while capital expenditure for small-scale projects is in the range of €2.5–7.5 million.
Focus: The Innovation Fund provides support for the commercialisation of innovative low-carbon technologies. The aim is to contribute to the achievement of the European climate-neutrality objective. On a global scale, projects funded by the Innovation Fund aim to strengthen Europe’s technological leadership.
Important details: The application period for small projects ran from spring to autumn 2022, and the application period for large projects began in November. Applications are evaluated in areas such as size of potential emission prevention, level of innovation, scalability and cost-effectiveness. Applicants must prove that their activities are founded on sustainability. Schedule for small-scale projects. Schedule for large-scale projects.
Form taken: Financial support.
For whom: Small and medium-sized enterprises and micro-enterprises. Municipalities, development companies, research and education organisations, associations and foundations.
Size of funding: There is no minimum project size. The applicant must be able to pay the self-funding component, as the ERDF does not normally finance the entire project.
Focus: For the 2021–2027 programme period the focus is on long term growth: competitiveness, smart investment, ecological sustainability, improving regional mobility opportunities, and social sustainability. Social sustainability goals will be achieved by supporting effective and inclusive employment, education, skills, social inclusion and equal access to health care and by strengthening the importance of culture and sustainable tourism
Important details: To receive funding, applicants must identify and demonstrate a real need for the service they provide. The priority areas are Innovative Finland, Carbon neutral Finland, and More accessible Finland. Further information on the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme. The applicant must prove that its operations are economically sustainable, and that sufficient resources and expertise are available for carrying out the project. Further information on the general selection criteria. Funding is not provided for organisations’ general running costs. The Structural Funds run information events on funding applications.
Form taken: Financial support.
For whom: Small and medium-sized enterprises and micro-enterprises. Municipalities, development companies, research and education organisations, associations and foundations.
Size of funding: There is no minimum project size. The applicant must be able to pay the self-funding component, as the ESF+ does not normally finance the entire project.
Focus: The focus areas for the ‘Competent and inclusive Finland that provides work’ priority area for the 2021–2027 programming period are supporting employment and competence and developing working life and educational paths.
Important details: To receive funding, applicants must identify and demonstrate a real need for the work they do. The applicant must prove that its operations are economically sustainable, and that sufficient resources and expertise are available for carrying out the project. Further information on the general selection criteria. Funding is not provided for organisations’ general running costs. The Structural Funds run information events (in Finnish) on funding applications.
Form taken: Financial support.
Target group: Funding is available for organisations, associations, communities, educational and research organisations, companies and businesses. Funding has been received by, among others, limited companies, associations, foundations, cities, educational institutions, government agencies and ministries.
Size of funding: Approximately €80,000–1,000,000.
Focus: The fund aims to strengthen and develop the Common European Asylum System, support the integration and legal migration of non-EU nationals, and develop strategies for repatriating migrants.
Important details: AMIF funding may be particularly suitable for funding social innovations that promote integration. Applicants must prove that their operations are economically sustainable.
Further information about the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
For whom: Micro-enterprises (max 10 employees and annual turnover of less than €2 million) which are at risk of social or economic exclusion. A particular focus are social enterprises, meaning those that employ people only capable of part-time work.
Size of funding: The maximum guarantee for micro-enterprises is €25,000. For social enterprises with an annual turnover of less than €30 million, the maximum guarantee is €500,000.
Focus: Microloans for vulnerable groups and micro-enterprises. The programme promotes equality, combats discrimination, promotes employment and combats poverty.
Important details: EU microcredit activities operate as part of EaSI (Programme for Employment and Social Innovation). EaSI promotes employment and social innovation. Conditions for receiving a micro-loan (pdf). Conditions for providing funding to a social enterprise (pdf).
In Finland, EaSI guarantees are handled by Oma Savings Bank (in Finnish).
Form taken: Financial support.
For whom: Associations, companies with employment levels of less than 10 person-years, municipalities, educational institutions and foundations.
Size of funding: Depending on the project, support covers between 20% and 100% of total costs.
Focus: The projects to be funded must meet the Development strategy for a Leader group (in Finnish) objectives, which relate to development of one’s local area. The impacts of a good project extend long after the end of the project itself. Leader groups operate in different regions around Finland.
Important details: Employees help to refine the project plan and are involved in different stages of the funding application process.