We grant operating grants to non-profit organisations whose activities take place primarily in Turku.

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Applying for a grant

Who can apply for a grant?

Non-profit organisations operating in Turku can apply for an operating grant.

When to apply for the grant?

Applications for operating grants for the following year are submitted annually in October. In 2026, the application period is exceptionally 1 October–2 November and ends on 2 November at 16:00.The Health and Well-being Promotion Committee processes the applications once a year. Late applications are not taken into consideration.

What can the grant be used for?

The grant supports activities that are in line with the organisation’s rules and action plan. We award grants for one calendar year.

Conditions for awarding grants

  • The amount of the grant to be distributed is based on an overall assessment within the available appropriations, and the applicant’s previous grant level is taken into account in the distribution of the grant.
  • The city’s experts are systematically used to support the assessment of grants by priority area (expert panels).
  • When awarding grants, it is assessed whether the activities are targeted only at members or at a broader target group.
    The city’s general guidelines on grants are followed (City Board 30 September 2024, section 305).
  • As a general rule, grants are awarded to communities based in Turku and for activities taking place in Turku.

Grant priorities for 2027

The grant priorities are based on the observations and policies of the wellbeing report and wellbeing plan. All of them promote residents’ wellbeing and health:

  1. Promoting communality to address the challenges of loneliness and exclusion.
  2. Promoting favourable lifestyles that support both mental wellbeing and physical health.
  3. Promoting integration and equality to strengthen positive interaction between different population groups.
  4. Promoting active leisure time, meaningful activities, or a connection to one’s local area or nature in order to create a good and active life, for example for different age groups or a specific target group.

Application instructions

  1. 1
    Apply for the grant electronically

    Apply for the grant at lomakkeet.turku.fi (in Finnish or Swedish).  

     We recommend using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

  2. 2
    Select the correct form

    The applicant selects which grant they are applying for.

    Depending on the amount requested, there are two application forms for the operating grant: one for amounts under EUR 10,000 and another for EUR 10,000 or more. More information is needed on the application form for a larger grant.

    Please also answer the background questions, which do not affect the awarding of the grant.

    Keep in mind that you will not be able to edit the application after submitting it.

  3. 3
    Apply on time

    Remember to click Submit at the end, to make sure that the application does not remain in draft status. Applications that are delayed or in draft form will not be processed.

  4. 4
    Track the processing

    You can track the progress of your application under the Omat lomakkeet [My Forms] tab.

To the grant recipient

Payment of the grant

The Health and Well-being Promotion Committee makes the decisions on the grants.  
Committee meeting days (in Finnish). 

We will pay the grant to the organisation’s bank account, specified in the application, during the first half of the year. Grants exceeding EUR 10,000 are paid in two instalments, with the second instalment issued in August. 

We will pay the grant once all necessary attachments have been submitted to the grant system. 

More information

Merja Pistemaa Administrative Coordinator 040 1788926