Background information

Due to the social distancing rules and public gathering limitations, organising cultural events during the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult or impossible. In order to support enterprises in the culture sector and make sure they can continue their business after the pandemic is over, two new forms of grant were created.

These grants are subject to the Act on Discretionary Government Transfers (in Finnish 'Valtionavustuslaki') (688/2001).

Content of measure

Two forms of grants have been created: 1) a grant for organisations active in the culture sector; 2) a specific grant for art and culture festivals and summer theatres.

Both of these grants are available for associations, foundations, cooperatives and other professional organisations that have been significantly affected by the social distancing restrictions and recommendations. The organisations must have paid staff and be active in the culture sector. The organisation applying must be a registered entity in order to qualify.

The maximum amount of support is €1.8 million. The grants can be used for costs incurred in 2021. The application round was open between May and June 2021.

The grant is administrated by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The total budget of the grant for organisations active in the culture sector is €15 million. The total budget of the grant for art and culture festivals and summer theatres is €9 million.

Use of measure

1. 248 organisations had been granted support. The total amount granted to these organisations is is €8.8 million.
2. There is no information available regarding the grants linked to culture and art festivals and summer theatres.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No information available.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 30 June 2021: Korona-avustus taide- ja kulttuurifestivaaleille ja kesäteattereille [COVID-19 grant for art and culture festivals and summer theatres] (minedu.fi)
• 30 June 2021: Korona-avustukset kulttuurialan yhteisöille toiminnan kuluihin 2021 [COVID-19 grant for organisations in the culture sector in 2021] (minedu.fi)
• 30 June 2021: Koronatuki kulttuurialan yhteisöille [COVID-19 grant for communities in the culture sector] (minedu.fi)