Instructions for applying for funding

What kind of project can receive funding?

A project granted funding from the EU's regional and structural policy funds must implement one of the objectives of the Innovation and skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme. In the programme, priority areas and specific objectives are used to describe the objectives.

The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) also grant business development aid from the funds of the programme. More information on this aid is available under Business funding and on the websites of the Economic Development Centres (Link to another website)

Before drawing up the application, it is advisable to determine:

  • what kind of restrictions are set for the projects in the call for applications
  • what other parties will participate in funding the project
  • which of the cost models mentioned in the call for applications is best suited for the project
  • whether the de minimis rule has to be applied to the economic activities practised by your organisation in the project

Familiarise yourself with the instructions for applicants and the instructions for completing the application in the EURA 2021 system. The instructions provide more detailed information on the above-mentioned matters.

Who can apply for funding?

Funding can be applied for by educational institutions, different organisations, research institutes, municipalities, companies and other communities having legal capacity. The programme document defines the potential beneficiaries by priority area. The support should benefit as wide a group of actors as possible. The applicant must have expertise related to the subject of the project and capabilities to implement project activities and continue the activities after the project has ended.

What is a good project like?

A good project supports the well-being of its area and target group. It may produce new innovations, companies and jobs. It increases competence and the abilities to find employment. The project may focus on preventing marginalisation and improving work ability. It aims to find new solutions and practices, promote internationalisation and disseminate good models. A good project is built on cooperation and partnership. The projects are expected to promote equality, the principles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and sustaina-ble development.

A good project application has the following qualities:

  • The justifications for the project are clear
  • The objective and the measures are clear and they have been defined in detail
  • The target group has been defined and limited clearly
  • The partners necessary for the project have committed themselves to participation
  • The cost estimate is justified and reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project
  • The project has a plan for continuing and establishing the activities and for dissemi-nating the results
  • The implementer of the project has agreed on other funding for the project and committed itself to its own contribution
  • Sufficient and competent personnel resources have been reserved for the project

How do I apply for funding?

The application for funding is made electronically in the EURA 2021 system. To apply for funding, you need to identify yourself in Suomi.fi e-Identification.
Familiarise yourself carefully with the application template and the instructions in the system. When you are planning the project, you should determine in advance under which of the programme priority areas and specific objectives the project falls.

When do I apply for funding?

The funding authorities (Economic Development Centres, regional councils) launch open calls for more specifically defined themes and publish notices concerning the calls. The calls for project applications can be found at www.eura2021.fi (Link to another website) Information on calls is also published on the structuralfunds.fi website.

From where do I apply for funding?

The regional councils, the Economic Development Centres specialising on structural funds (RR Economic Development Centres) and the Finnish Food Authority grant funding to the projects. You will find the contact details of the regional council and the RR Economic Development Centre of your own region on the pages of the major regions.
The administration of the EU’s regional and structural policy funds in the Economic Development Centres has been centralised to four Economic Development Centres:

  • In northern Finland, to the Economic Development Centre for Northern Finland in Oulu, which also administrates matters of the Economic Development Centre of Lapland
  • In eastern Finland, to the Economic Development Centre for Eastern Finland in Kuopio
  • In western Finland, to the Economic Development Centre of Central Finland in Jyväskylä, which also administrates matters of the Economic Development Centres for Southwest Finland, Inland Finland, South Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia
  • In southern Finland, to the Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland in Kouvola, which also administrates matters of the Economic Development Centre of Uusimaa 

The de minimis aid notification (The file opens in a new tab) to be filled in by the unit participating in the measures as a beneficiary.