Central Finland - Finnish Cultural Foundation

What is the Central Finland Regional Fund?

The Fund is devoted to promoting and developing the arts, the sciences, and other fields of endeavour in Central Finland – by providing annual grants and awards, and organising other activities in the region.

The Fund’s activities and decision-making are impartial and not linked to political parties or other organisations or associations. The 12-member Administrative Council reflects a wide range of expertise and knowledge in the arts, the sciences, society, and business in the region.

The Central Finland Regional Fund comprises a General Fund and bequest- and donation-based donor funds. Grants made from the latter are directed towards areas specified by the donor when they made their bequest. Areas not covered by this procedure are supported from the general funds.

Grants

Finnish citizens, as well as private individuals and organisations residing or operating in Finland are eligible to apply for a grant yearly in the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s application period. You may also apply if your application has a clear, strong connection to Finland or Finnish culture.

Finnish Cultural Foundation’s applications Oct 15 to 30

Grants

Finnish Cultural Foundation’s applications Oct 15 to 30

What kinds of grants do we award and to whom?

The Central Finland Fund provides grants for scientific and artistic work, children’s and youth culture, and projects related to cultural heritage (local history work). Grants can be applied for in all fields of science and art.

In addition to the general fund, grants are also awarded from the Aune and Heikki Salama Fund, which aims to promote the vocational studies of young people with disabilities.

All the donor funds of the Central Finland Fund (in Finnish)

The municipalities in the Central Finland Fund's region

Hankasalmi, Joutsa, Jyväskylä, Jämsä, Kannonkoski, Karstula, Keuruu, Kinnula, Kivijärvi, Konnevesi, Kyyjärvi, Laukaa, Luhanka, Multia, Muurame, Petäjävesi, Pihtipudas, Saarijärvi, Toivakka, Uurainen, Viitasaari and Äänekoski.

The municipalities in the Central Finland Fund's region

The administrative committee

Members of the Central Finland Fund’s Administrative Committee in autumn 2025. Photo: Petteri Kivimäki

Chair

Raija Hämäläinen, Professor

Vice Chair

Tarja Pääjoki, Research Coordinator
Mika Haapanen, Professor
Samuli Heimonen, Visual Artist
Pekka Hokkanen, Regional Mayor
Tommi Kärkkäinen, Professor
Vilja Laaksonen, CEO
Antti Niskanen, Association Director
Inkeri Pasanen, Deputy editor in chief
Juha Virkki, Publisher