Guidelines for subsidy applicants

Submit applications on time

Applications must arrive no later than 16:00 (4pm) on the last day of the application period. Applications that arrive after this time shall be deemed late and rejected.

It is recommended to send applications using Taike’s e-services in good time due to possible congestion in the system and our customer service on the last day of the application period.

Operational subsidy or special subsidy?

Taike subsidies are awarded either as operational subsidies for ongoing operations or as special subsidies for specific projects.

Operational subsidies

General grants for festivals
General grants for cultural magazines and online publications
Operational subsidies for specific artforms

Special subsidies

Project grants for children's and yout culture
Project grants for "Percent for Art" projects
Special subsidies for communities

Other subsidies

Some of Taike’s thematic subsidies can be awarded either as operational subsidies or as special subsidies. The decision as to how they are awarded is made by Taike. These types of subsidies include the following:

Subsidies for promoting inclusion and cultural wellbeing
Subsidies for promoting cultural diversity and combating racism

How do you plan to use the subsidy?

Write in your application a clear project plan or operational plan that summarises the main points.
Answer concisely the questions what, how, when, where, why, with whom and for whom.
Explain why your project is good and feasible. Convince the decision-maker of your community’s ability to implement the proposed plan.
Explain the value that your project or operations would have for a wider audience.
Remember to specify the precise schedule for your project.

How much should you apply for?

Apply for a realistic amount. Remember to always check the minimum amount to be awarded on the call for applications. If you apply for less than the minimum amount, the subsidy cannot be awarded.

Subsidies may cover only a portion of the total funding of the project or operations, so they may not be used to cover all expenses. If the project generates a profit, you may be asked to repay the special subsidy in full or in part. The call for applications for operational subsidies usually specifies the percentage of eligible expenses that the subsidy awarded by Taike may be used to cover.

Communities that receive an operational subsidy cannot be awarded with another operational subsidy, but they can apply for the following thematic special subsidies:

Subsidies for promoting cultural diversity and combating racism
Subsidies for promoting cultural wellbeing and inclusion
Project grants for children's and youth culture
Project grants for "Percent for Art" projects

If you are applying for support for your project from several different parties, remember to specify this in your application.

Budget

Prepare a project budget that includes a cost estimate and financing plan. A good budget is one that is realistic and includes the anticipated income and expenses for your project or operations. In addition to the subsidy that you are applying for, the budget should also include other financing, for example:

Subsidies awarded by other parties
Self-financing (from membership fees, ticket sales, rental income, etc. The amount of self-financing must be actual and not include, for example, volunteer work).

If your project is particularly big, you should apply for support from as many parties as possible; the bigger the project for which you are applying for a subsidy, the bigger the role played by other financing.

The percentage of eligible expenses that the support awarded by Taike may be used to cover is specified for operational subsidies but generally not for special subsidies. State appropriations may not be used to cover all expenses except on special grounds. Check the call for applications to see the percentage of eligible expenses that the subsidy may cover.

When awarding subsidies, Taike takes into consideration other State support received by the applicant, as well as the necessity of the subsidy.

Subsidies are discretionary and are awarded on an annual basis on condition that Parliament allocates the required appropriations in its annual State budget.

How to prepare a budget

Itemise clearly all the expected income (financing plan) and expenses (cost estimate), which must tally in the budget.
Group expenses according to their purpose; the total sum alone is not enough.
Report any income from the project, as well as other subsidies that have been applied for and awarded for the project, along with previously secured income.
Indicate the overall project budget even if you are only applying for partial funding. This will give the decision-maker an overall picture of your project.

Subsidies are not awarded the following types of expenses:

Depreciation
Fundraising costs
Business and investment costs
Reservations
Deferred items that are not based on actual realised expenses
Loan instalments
Interest on loans
Non-statutory supplementary pension contributions
Severance pay or non-compulsory pay for the period of notice
Performance-based bonuses
Legal costs or damages
Penalties, such as fines or interest on late payment

What to include with your application

Always check the call for applications to see what you should include with your application. The maximum permitted file size for each attachment is 4 MB. Attachments should not be sent by e-mail. Applications and attachments will not be returned.

Sustainable development

What does sustainable development refer to on the call for applications?

Finland is committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda. The goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are to care for the environment, increase social justice and improve economic sustainability. The Finland we want by 2050 ─ Society’s commitment to sustainable development sets targets for the national implementation of these commitments.

Sustainable development refers to the pursuit of ecological, economic, social and cultural sustainability. The aim is to ensure good living opportunities for present and future generations. This also means that the environment, citizens and the economy are taken into account equally in decision-making and activities.

Ecological sustainability aims to maintain the viability of our planet also for future generations by adapting human activity to its natural resources and nature’s carrying capacity.

Economic sustainability aims to achieve balanced growth without indebtedness or destruction of resources, as well as activities that take into consideration the carrying capacity of the environment and future generations. Economic growth should be based on the most eco-effective consumption of natural resources, and wellbeing should be distributed equally.

Social sustainability aims to eliminate inequalities between people and to ensure that everyone has access to a sufficient livelihood, proper healthcare and educational opportunities, as well as to safeguard basic rights.

Cultural sustainability aims to reinforce our cultural identity and increase awareness and appreciation of different cultures. Culturally sustainable development promotes the wellbeing of people and regions while fostering the preservation and development of different cultures. Sustainable culture is not stagnant but rather one that is active and changes through interaction with people and the environment.

Further information: kestavakehitys.fi

What do non-discrimination and equality refer to on the call for applications?

Non-discrimination and equality mean that all people are treated equally. No one shall be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, gender identity, age, origin, nationality, language, religion, beliefs, opinions, political activity, trade union activities, family relationships, health, disabilities, sexual orientation or any other personal reason. Sexual harassment and other types of harassment are also considered discrimination and thereby prohibited.

Non-discrimination and equality are fundamental rights that are upheld by law. Inclusion and participation in culture are one of the strategic objectives of the cultural policy of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland.

Equal opportunities in terms of participation are promoted, for example, by ensuring that cultural activities are accessible and that social diversity is taken into account in these activities. Equal opportunities to participate in artistic and cultural life, as well as to access artistic and cultural services – also for professionals and other creators of art and culture – are safeguarded by means of concrete measures.

To promote non-discrimination and equality, it is important to include equality and gender considerations in all activities, ensure equality opportunities for participating in decision-making, for example by having all population groups and genders equally represented as decision-makers, identify and eliminate any barriers to participation (such as stereotypes and prejudices), and reserve sufficient resources for the promotion of all aspects of non-discrimination, equality and accessibility.

Further information:

Non-discrimination Act 1325/2014

Act on Equality between Women and Men 609/1986

Culture for All Service

Equality and Accessibility Info Card (Cupore) (pdf – in Finnish)

De minimis aid

Taike's subsidies are awarded as de minimis aid. Information about other de minimis aid received during the current tax year and the two previous tax years must be included in the application. Taike may also award the grant in accordance with the General Block Exemption Regulation if the conditions for de minimis aid do not allow the grant to be awarded.
Read more www.tem.fi

Applications are public documents

Applications submitted to Taike are public documents, about which everyone is entitled to receive information according to Finnish law (Act on the Openness of Government Activities 621/1999). For example, the media can request to view applications. The project plans of communities are confidential to the extent that they contain information considered to be business secrets, such as artistic ideas or information about private individuals. Taike does not disclose confidential information. Information about subsidies awarded to communities is published on the Taike website.

Taike submits information about all state subsidy decisions for publication on the tutkiavustuksia.fi website (Act on Discretionary Government Transfers 688/2001).