Applying for an operating grant
Who can apply?
Youth associations in Turku and similar regional organisations, such as those offering recreational activities for children and young people, can apply for operating grants. Adult organisations can also apply for a grant, if the youth activities are separated from other activities in their financial accounts and annual report.
Registered regional organisations who operate mainly in the city of Turku area can also apply for the operating grant. If a regional organisation consists of youth associations, each local association must provide the same information as the other youth associations.
When should we apply for the operating grant?
The application period for operating grants is in October each year.
What can the operating grant be used for?
Associations can apply for an operating grant for youth organisations to support their statutory and action plan-based activities for individuals under the age of 29. We offer a special grant to support youth activities that fall outside of the main action plan: Special grant targeted at youth activities.
Operating grants awarded by the City cannot exceed 80% of the organisation’s or activity group’s total expenses.
We do not grant operating grants for the following purposes:
- youth activities that are organised by a community with taxing rights
- youth activities organised outside the Turku region
- youth activities organised by a school, educational institution or other institution
- youth groups whose activities can be considered organised by the municipality
- the construction and renovation of facilities and the acquisition of real estate, shares or machinery and equipment that lasts for more than three years
- activities that are disrespectful or contrary to best practices
- business activities or private individuals
- applicants who receive other funding from the City of Turku for the same purpose.
How are the recipients of operating grants selected?
The Finnish-speaking Children and Youth Services Board decides on the recipients of the grants.The board makes grant decisions during its meeting in January.
The grants support activities that promote inclusion and equality, support the development of everyday life and develop youth work.
The activities to be supported must be youth-oriented, substance-free, in line with the city's policies and take into account one or more of the priorities of youth work.
The priorities of youth work grants are:
- Promoting well-being and equality and reducing inequality Inclusion and active citizenship of children and young people
- Understanding digitalization as part of young people's lives
- Developing literacy and linguistic skills
- Open-minded internationalism and supporting integration
- Supporting children's and young people's hobbies and leisure activities
We also take into account the purpose, scope and quality of the activity and other funding opportunities.
How to apply for an operating grant
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1Fill in the application form online
Fill in the electronic application form: Grant application service (in Finnish or Swedish)
We recommend using the Mozilla or Chrome browser. The form requires identification.
On the form, select the following options in the section Questions to clarify the funding type:
- Haen: Avustusta
- Haen avustusta: Säännölliseen toimintaan
- Liittyykö haettava avustus: Nuorisotoimintaan
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2Submit the required attachments
Send the following attachments with your application:
- The association’s approved action plan and budget (for the period covered by the potential grant)
- Annual report for the previous year
- The association’s rules (only with the first application, or when there have been changes to the rules).
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3Wait for the grant decision
For recipients of operating grants
Payment of operating grants
We will pay the grant to the bank account specified in the application once the decision has been made, and the deadline for requesting a revised decision has passed.
We will inform you about the decision about a week after the meeting. After being informed of the decision, the applicant has 14 days to request a revised decision. Following this, the payment will be made within 30 days.
Using and reporting on the operating grant
The grant must be used for the association’s statutory activities. If the grant is not fully used, or cannot be used, for its intended purpose, the association must refund all or part of the grant.
Submit a report on the use of the operating grant by the end of October of the year following the grant application. You can submit the report along with your next application for an operating grant if you are applying again. If you do not apply for the grant the following year, add the report as an attachment to your grant application in the Grant application service.
Include the following information for clarification:
- Income statement (detailing income and expenses) and balance sheet with notes, or annual calculation or annual summary with appendices
- Annual report or other similar report
- Auditor’s report or performance audit report