Discretionary government grants for 2026 awarded to organisations and communities operating in the field of foreign and security policy and supporting businesses expand internationally

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has awarded a total of EUR 1,890,000 in discretionary government grants to 15 civil society organisations (CSOs) and communities.

The grants support CSOs and communities that engage in activities relevant to Finland’s foreign and security policy and its international commitments and that support the promotion of Finnish businesses’ international activities and the development and provision of services aimed at helping businesses expand internationally in 2026. Grants are not awarded for services provided to individual businesses or for economic activity.

The grants are awarded from the 2026 Budget item 24.90.50 (‘Certain government grants’).

The priorities for the 2026 call for discretionary government grant applications were:

Future and security of Finland and Europe

• Supporting Ukraine
• Supporting the westward orientation of the EU neighbourhood
• Supporting the international rules-based system

Economic relations supporting Finland’s growth

• Attracting investments and talent
• Promoting Finnish businesses’ exports and expansion into international markets
• Strengthening the EU’s strategic competitiveness
• Deepening partnerships (especially in critical technologies)

Altogether 25 applicants submitted their applications to the Ministry by the deadline.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs awarded discretionary government grants to the following applicants:

EastCham Finland

JEF Finland

Historians without Borders in Finland

Wider Security Network (WISE)

Viexpo

Perpetuum Mobile: Artists at Risk (AR)

Saami Council

SaferGlobe

German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce

Finnish-Swedish Chamber of Commerce

Finnish Red Cross

UN Association of Finland

UN Youth of Finland 

Åland Islands Peace Institute

UN Women Finland

The awarded grants are general grants for the organisations’ and communities’ activities in 2026. Discretionary government grants are awarded for one year at a time.