Pohjois-Karjalan maakuntakartta

North Karelia

Founded in 1961, the North Karelia Regional Fund is one of the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s 17 regional funds.

Pohjois-Karjalan maakuntakartta

What is the North Karelia Regional Fund?

The Fund is devoted to promoting and developing the arts, the sciences, and other fields of endeavour in North Karelia – by providing grants and awards and organising other activities in the region’s 15 municipalities.

The Fund’s activities and decision-making are impartial and not linked to political parties or other organisations or associations. The nine-member 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 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

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 projects, and applicants who live in or were born in the province.

The fund may award two-year grants for further scientific research, artistic work, and the organization of events, with an interim evaluation.

In addition to the general fund, grants are awarded from, among others, the Eliel and Ina Engelberg Fund, which supports the studies of young people living in the Nurmes and Valtimo municipalities.


The municipalities in the North Karelia Fund's region

Heinävesi, Ilomantsi, Joensuu, Juuka, Kitee, Kontiolahti, Lieksa, Liperi, Nurmes, Outokumpu, Polvijärvi, Rääkkylä and Tohmajärvi.

The municipalities in the North Karelia Fund's region

Heinävesi, Ilomantsi, Joensuu, Juuka, Kitee, Kontiolahti, Lieksa, Liperi, Nurmes, Outokumpu, Polvijärvi, Rääkkylä and Tohmajärvi.


The administrative committee

Members of the North Karelia Fund’s Administrative Committee in spring 2025. Photo: Harri Mäenpää

Chair

Jopi Nyman, Professor

Vice Chair

Juha Rouvinen, Professor

Maria Karhapää, Actor-director
Raine Kortet, Professor
Juhana Lassila, Deputy CEO
Liisa Matveinen, Musician
Taru Peltola, Professor
Harri Turunen, Sculptor
Riitta Turunen, Textile artist
Katariina Vähäkallio, Dancer-choreographer


Contact information about North Karelia Regional Fund

North Karelia Regional Fund
Kauppakatu 25 C, 3. krs
80100 Joensuu

pohjois-karjala@skr.fi

North Karelia Regional Fund's logos

Asko Saarelainen

Manager

North Karelia

Call: Asko Saarelainen +358 50 434 3464

Maarit Hämäläinen-Koljonen

Coordinator

North Karelia

Call: Maarit Hämäläinen-Koljonen +358 40 546 6016

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