Kymenlaakso - Finnish Cultural Foundation

What is the Kymenlaakso Regional Fund?

The Kymenlaakso Regional Fund promotes and develops the arts, the sciences, and other fields of endeavour and scientific or artistic work carried out in or covering the Kymenlaakso area – by providing grants and awards.

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

The fund comprises a General Fund and donation- and bequest-based donor funds. Grants made from the latter are directed towards areas specified by the donor when making his or her 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?

Grants are awarded to individuals, working groups, and registered organisations for the promotion of science and art in Kymenlaakso. The grants are divided into working and expenditure grants.

The grants are intended for postgraduate studies and research in all fields of science, as well as for artistic work.

In addition to the general fund, grants are awarded from, among others:

the Olavi and Alli Pietikäinen Fund, which supports medical research, primarily in the field of cardiovascular diseases, and related public health work.
the Toivo Huuhtanen Fund, which supports the studies, scientific or artistic activities, and other cultural activities of young people from Hamina.

All the donor funds of the Kymenlaakso Fund (in Finnish)

The municipalities in the Kymenlaakso Fund's region

Hamina, Kotka, Kouvola, Miehikkälä, Pyhtää and Virolahti.

The municipalities in the Kymenlaakso Fund's region

Hamina, Kotka, Kouvola, Miehikkälä, Pyhtää and Virolahti.

Kymenlaakso Fund's own projects

Projects 2025-

The Empathy Council

Kymenlaakso Fund’s project develops methods for investigating and increasing empathy through artistic approaches.
Read more

The administrative committee

Chair

Tiina Kirvesniemi, Doctor of Education

Vice Chair

Annika Utriainen, Intendent

Mika Kempas, School Head
Harri Kivelä, Bachelor of Social Services
Petra Kortelainen, Regional Development Manager
Marko Kuusela, Musician
Mika Lammi, CEO
Mari Lehtosalo, Chief curator
Annakaisa Tavast, Communications Director