Additional funding to be granted to organisations and foundations in health and social services sector in an effort to prevent effects of COVID-19 epidemic on people

Additional discretionary government transfers will be granted to respond to the need for psychosocial support caused, in particular, by the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. Funding will also be granted for the development of digital services. Emphasis is placed on measures that can be introduced quickly and that respond to sudden changes in the operating environment.

Funding will be allocated to 106 organisations and foundations for 109 different purposes. A total of EUR 5 million will be distributed from the gambling proceeds of the state-owned company Veikkaus Oy.

Discretionary government transfers will be allocated for projects focusing on the development of psychosocial support and the digital services provided by Public Service Info. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the operating environment has quickly moved in a direction where digital services are more important than ever. The funding to be granted now will help organisations and foundations adapt to the current conditions and seek solutions to the provision of digital support.

Funding will also be granted to help the everyday lives of people and families in challenging life situations and at risk of social exclusion. The aim is also to reach such target groups that have been excluded from support earlier. 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health decided on the additional funding on 28 May 2020 on the basis of a proposal prepared by the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA). 

Altogether 382 organisations and foundations applied for funding for 411 purposes. The total amount of funding applied for was approximately EUR 25 million. The funding to be granted is allocated for 2020, but it can be used until the end of 2021. Information on the grant decisions will be published by 29 May on the STEA website (in Finnish).

Inquiries 

Lassi Kauttonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 577
Hilppa Tervonen, Manager for preparation of grant proposals, Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA), tel. +358 295 163 225

The Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA) is a standalone state-aid authority operating in connection with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. It manages the funding granted from Veikkaus Oy’s gambling proceeds to projects which are non-profit by nature and promote health and wellbeing.