Grant reforms: application period moved to September and guidelines updated

The reform of the application period for general grants responds to a request raised by organisations.

– As a result of the change, the grant can now be paid to recipients already at the beginning of the year, says Susanna Lundström, Planning Officer responsible for coordinating the City of Tampere’s grant activities.

An information session on applying for general grants will be held at the City Hall on Wednesday 16 September 2026 from 17:30 to 19:00. Guidance will also be published in the autumn on the website: https://tampere.fi/en/grants.

Update to the general principles

At its meeting on 22 June 2026, the City Board decided to update the general principles governing grants and personal grants. These principles guide the City of Tampere’s grant activities.

The update introduces changes that clarify the grant conditions, streamline the reporting of general grants, and enhance the overall impact of grant funding. Going forward, grants will be more clearly targeted at non-profit activities and related costs.

– As a rule, organisations receiving grants will no longer be able to use them for fundraising, charitable donations, member rewards, or alcohol-related expenses. Trips outside Tampere can only be supported for justified reasons, says Planning Officer Lundström.

– Grants can also no longer be used to cover membership fees paid by the recipient, interest on or repayment of loans, debt collection costs, depreciation, or refurbishment and renovation costs for premises, Lundström continues.

As a general rule, all funded activities and participation in them must be open to everyone. However, justified restrictions on target groups will continue to be permitted.