Special grants for 2022 allocated to Talent Hub regional cooperation models that develop immigration of experts
The intersectoral Talent Boost programme aims to increase the immigration of experts to Finland. Regional Talent Hub cooperation models, which the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment supports through discretionary government grants, are part of the programme. The grants for 2022 were allocated to five large cities.
Shortage of skilled workers is already an obstacle to growth in many sectors and areas. That is why Finland is determined to increase the immigration of experts significantly. The broad Talent Boost programme aims to make Finland a more attractive destination to international experts and students, and thereby strengthen economic growth and business innovation.
Talent Hubs, which are part of the Talent Boost programme, are regional cooperation models set up to create customer-oriented service paths across organisational boundaries to make Finland as attractive and easy place for experts and their families to move to as possible. The amount of grants available for promoting Talent Hub activities this year totals EUR 3 million.
Talent Hub projects strengthen practical cooperation
From 19 January to 16 February 2022, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment organised a call for applications to promote Talent Hub activities in cities. The Ministry decided to grant almost EUR 3 million in discretionary government grants for Talent Hub activities as follows:
- EUR 469,683 to the City of Espoo for the implementation of the Talent Espoo project.
- EUR 1,007,133 to the City of Helsinki for the implementation of the Talent Helsinki project.
- EUR 465,808 to the City of Tampere for the implementation of the International House Tampere project.
- EUR 430,590.86 to the City of Turku for the implementation of the Talent Turku project.
- EUR 274,723 to the City of Vantaa for the implementation of the Talent Vantaa project.
These projects will run until 30 April 2023.
At least 15,000 foreign-language residents
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Education and Culture coordinate the Talent Boost programme. The intersectoral programme aims to promote the immigration of senior specialists, employees, start-up entrepreneurs, students and researchers. The objective is to make Finland an attractive country for experts and their families and simultaneously support the growth and internationalisation of companies.
The discretionary government grants now allocated will be used to support the development of regional Talent Hub cooperation models and services, in particular. Talent Hub models offer customer-oriented service paths to make it easier to attract and recruit international talent and to support their settlement and integration. Talent Hubs also provide services that bring employers and international talent together.
Municipalities with at least 15,000 foreign language speaking residents are eligible to apply for the grants. The grants will cover up to 70% of the project’s eligible costs. Applicants are expected finance 30% of the project costs themselves. In joint projects, all applicants are required to contribute to project financing.
Inquiries:
Satu Salonen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 29 504 7149