Finnish CSOs receive government grants for development cooperation and humanitarian work

Finnish CSOs receive government grants for development cooperation and humanitarian work

The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has awarded approximately EUR 311 million to Finnish civil society organisations (CSOs) for multiannual, programme-based development cooperation and humanitarian work in 2026-2029. Programme-based support, which is the main form of funding for CSOs for development cooperation work, will be awarded to 23 CSOs.

CSOs play an important role in helping Finland achieve its development cooperation objectives. The Government is making unprecedented savings in the development cooperation budget during this parliamentary term. However, it has decided to prioritise Finnish CSOs and exclude them from the scope of these cuts.

Finnish CSOs have special expertise in many fields, including education, promoting the rights of women and girls, and mediation. CSOs work with society's most vulnerable population groups, such as persons with disabilities. Local partners with sound local knowledge are at the core of the programmes. Finnish grant recipients are expected to demonstrate sound performance guidance and risk management.

In the spirit of the Government Report on International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation, CSOs increasingly engage in multi-actor cooperation with companies, educational institutions and agencies in various sectors.

"We encourage CSOs to foster an enabling environment and business conditions for the private sector and to cooperate more closely with Finnish companies in the programme countries. Our development cooperation focuses on mutual benefit and economic activity," says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.

The programmes have a wide geographical footprint. In Africa and Asia, the focus is on fragile states and the least developed countries. Some of the CSOs operate in Ukraine. CSOs increase Finland's presence in many countries where Finland has very little other cooperation.

For the first time, eight Finnish CSOs will also be awarded multi-annual funding for humanitarian work for the next four years. This will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance. The funding amounts to EUR 40 million.

Programme-based support will be granted to the following 23 Finnish CSOs for development cooperation work: Abilis Foundation, CMI - Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, Fida International, Finnish Development NGOs Fingo, Helsinki Deaconess Institute Foundation, International Solidarity Foundation, KIOS Foundation, Finn Church Aid, WWF Finland, YMCA Finland, Save the Children Finland, Plan International Finland, Fairtrade Association, Siemenpuu Foundation, Trade Union Solidarity Foundation Finland SASK, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM), Finnish Refugee Council, Finnish Red Cross, World Vision Nordic, Operation a Day's Work Finland (ODW Finland), Disability Partnership Finland, Finnish Foundation for Media and Development (Vikes) and Family Federation of Finland.

Eight CSOs will receive grants for humanitarian work: Fida International, Finn Church Aid, YMCA Finland, Save the Children Finland, Plan International Finland, Finnish Refugee Council, Finnish Red Cross and World Vision Nordic.

• Government grants awarded for programmes in 2025, funding for development cooperation 2026-2029 (PDF)

• Government grants awarded for programmes in 2025, funding for humanitarian work for 2026-2029 (PDF)