The City of Helsinki has drawn up ethical partnership principles for its cooperation with organisations and grant allocation. These principles will enter into force as part of the update of the general instructions on grants, which will guide the principles for awarding grants in all divisions.
The ethical partnership principles for cooperation with organisations and grant allocation include fostering participation, trust and cohesion, supporting safety and a sense of security, contributing to a sustainable future and promoting responsible and transparent governance. Similar principles have already been applied in the Culture and Leisure Division, which awards most of the City’s grants.
“With this reform, we wanted to harmonise our practices and more clearly communicate the ethical principles we want to promote in Helsinki’s partnerships,” says Organisation Cooperation Development Manager Veera Vilkama.
The general instructions on grants guide grant preparation
The general instructions on grants were also clarified and updated. For example, the instructions abandoned the annual announcement of grants in newspapers. All of the City of Helsinki’s grants have been gathered in an online service where you can find the application deadlines, more detailed application criteria and contact details of the grant coordinators.
“We recommend checking out the avustukset.hel.fi/en website. There you will find up-to-date information on open grant applications and grant news,” says Grant Allocation Development Manager Veli-Matti Hurtig.
The City Board approved the new general instructions on grants on 7 April 2025. The new general instructions on grants and partnership principles will enter into force on 15 June 2025.
