The aim of the discretionary grant is to support the functional capacity of older persons living at home in particular and prevent challenges brought on by ageing. The projects awarded a grant are required to promote either regional and local services or services provided digitally and remotely or develop volunteering and peer support practices. Other things emphasised in projects by art and culture operators include competence development in this field and the creation of new structures.
The grants are funded from state inheritance funds allocated to the City of Helsinki. This year, the City will grant EUR 1,300,000 in total to support cultural projects and EUR 700,000 to support projects promoting physical activity.
The grants for 2025 were decided on at meetings of the City’s sub-committees in April. The selected art and cultural projects include theatre, dance, art workshops, films and music, among other things. The selected projects promoting physical activity will organise things such as guided, free-of-charge, low-threshold physical activities, sports groups for older persons and individual sports guidance.
Artistic and human interaction
An impact analysis of projects carried out in 2023–2024 showed that participants found the activities to be meaningful and empowering. The activities improved participants’ mood and functional capacity and reduced loneliness. Additionally, independent physical activity increased, and participants’ self-esteem and belief in their own capability was boosted.
Artistic and human interaction and community spirit have been important elements in the activities. The projects have created new communities and strengthened existing social relationships. Many project operators made use of the personal experiences of older persons in planning their activities, which strengthened participants’ sense of dignity.
In addition to supporting the wellbeing of participants, the grants have successfully expanded art and sports operators’ competence in working with older persons and increased their understanding of the various needs of the target group. The range of senior services available has become more diversified, and services have become easier to find. Once contact is established with an older person, it provides the opportunity to help the older person access other preventive services as well.
The aim of the grants for promoting cultural and physical activities for older persons is to meet the challenges brought on by the ageing of the population through preventive measures that increase wellbeing. Particular attention is paid to the opportunities of older people living at home to live a high-quality life full of experiences in which they are active participants. The call for grant applications was prepared in cooperation between the City of Helsinki’s cultural and sports services.
