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 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.
The Fund’s activities and decision-making are impartial and not linked to political parties or other organisations or associations. Grants made by the Fund are decided by an Administrative Council that reflects a wide range of expertise and knowledge in the arts, the sciences, society, and business in the region.
Kymenlaakso Grants
The grants of the regional fund January application round are divided into working and expenditure grants. In addition to these, grants will be awarded for special purposes.
What kinds of grants do we award and to whom?
When deciding on grants, priority is given to scientific and artistic work carried out in or covering the region, culturally significant and even bold cultural projects, and applicants who live in or were born in the province. Grants are awarded to individuals, working groups, and registered organisations for the promotion of science and art in Kymenlaakso.
The grants are intended for postgraduate studies and research in all fields of science, as well as for artistic work.
In the January 2026 application round, the Kymenlaakso Fund will focus on promoting literacy and media literacy.
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.
Kymenlaakso
January Round and special purpose grants
Special purpose grants in the January round of applications are Vitality and Culture, Local culture grants and Spearhead grants.
Kymenlaakso
January Round and special purpose grants
Special purpose grants in the January round of applications are Vitality and Culture, Local culture grants and Spearhead grants.
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
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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
Contact information about Kymenlaakso Regional Fund
Kymenlaakso Regional Fund
Kauppalankatu 2 A 1
45100 Kouvola
kymenlaakso@skr.fi
Kymenlaakso Regional Fund's logosPäivi Venäläinen
Senior Advisor, Manager
Kymenlaakso, Uusimaa
Anu Toivonen
Coordinator
Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, South Savo
