Direct and Indirect Grants Provided by Municipalities and Wellbeing Services Counties to NGOs and Foundations

In 2025, MDI will carry out a study, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, on the support provided by municipalities and wellbeing services counties to associations and foundations. MDI Public will examine how the support is allocated and propose ways to improve related practices within municipalities and wellbeing services counties.

The purpose of the study is to broaden the overall understanding of public support to associations and foundations, including financial grants and the provision of premises free of charge. To sustain a vibrant civil society, there is a need for anticipatory and monitoring data on the types and needs of support across Finland.

The Finnish Government’s policy decision on the civil society strategy recommends that municipalities and wellbeing services counties provide grants to associations and foundations and continue developing practices in collaboration with civil society actors. The results of the study can be used by municipalities and wellbeing services counties when updating their strategies, programmes, and plans—especially during regional and municipal election period.

The Ministry of Justice will publish the study in the autumn of 2025. The study is part of the implementation of the civil society strategy, which is based on the Government Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s administration. The strategy outlines, for example, how state funding practices and fundraising conditions for associations and foundations will be developed during the current government term.