The City of Helsinki will award around 10 million euros in grants for physical activity in 2026. Up to 200,000 euros of this year's grant budget is earmarked for grants to promote safer club activities and 250,000 euros to support regional sports activities. In addition to this, 700,000 euros will be allocated for the promotion of sport and physical activity among the elderly.
Grants for the promotion of sport and physical activity for the elderly are targeted at activities that support wellbeing and functional capacity and promote physical activity among the elderly as well as develop activities for older people in Helsinki. The grant can be applied for by registered associations and foundations.
Grants to promote safer club activities can be awarded to sports clubs and other associations organising sports in Helsinki for development work to promote safer sports activities for children and young people.
In turn, grants to support regional sports activities can be awarded to sports clubs and other associations and organisations promoting physical activity for low-threshold sports activities and development work for children and young people aged 9–18 in Helsinki in areas where the level of physical activity is lower than average.
The application period for all three types of grants starts on 9 March. Please note the different closing dates for applications.
- Grant for the promotion of sport and physical activity for the elderly 9 March–2 April 2026 at 16.00
- Grant for the promotion of safer club activities 9 March–5 April 2026 at 23.59
- Grant to support regional sports activities 9 March–5 April 2026 at 23.59
Check out grant application info session recordings
The Sports Services organised grant application information sessions open to all on the 2026 application rounds in January and February. At these sessions, Sports Services presented the award criteria, application periods and application methods for the different types of grants, and answered questions from participants.
You can find the recordings of the sessions on the ‘Grants for sports’ page (link at the bottom of the news article).
Current and future application periods for 2026 sports grants
You can apply for sports grants through the online application system. Please note that applications submitted late will not be processed.
- Sports event grant 8 December 2025–6 December 2026
- Start grant for sports 1 January–6 December 2026
- Grant for the promotion of sport and physical activity for the elderly 9 March–2 April 2026 at 16.00
- Grant for promoting safer club activities 9 March–5 April 2026
- Grant to support regional sports activities 9 March–5 April 2026
- Price change transition grant 1 May–26 June 2026
Please click the link below for more information on the grants, the application criteria and a link to the 2026 application guidelines.
