Finnish Heritage Agency's Grants for Intangible Cultural Heritage Distributed

The Finnish Heritage Agency is responsible for implementing UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage convention in Finland, coordinating national applications for international lists, and granting funding to safeguard living heritage.

The grants now distributed by the Finnish Heritage Agency aim to support the development and coordination of community-led practices, particularly from the perspective of heritage communities, considering cultural diversity and inclusion. Six projects received funding, with the average grant amount being €13,750. A total of 30 applications were submitted, requesting a combined total of €376,187.

This year, support was given to a project by the NGO SKV Liitto, which organizes cultural evenings for the returnees from Ingria and bearers of Karelian cultural heritage across Finland. The project by the Workers' Museum Association records the living stories of deaf families, raised in silence. In the Helsinki metropolitan area, NGO Mirsal's CELEBRATE project highlights and transfers living heritage within the Finnish-Arabic community. The Cultural Cooperative Uulu's project promotes the revival of the Karelian language in North Karelia. Additionally, funding was granted for local efforts by municipalities on living heritage and diversity in Tornio and the bilingual municipality of Kaskinen.

"There are many different cultural groups in Finland, whose traditions are part of our shared, constantly evolving living heritage. These projects are examples of work that increases inclusion and intercultural interaction. Diversity is a central value in the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage," says Senior Adviser Leena Marsio from the Finnish Heritage Agency.

This is the eighth time funding has been available for cooperation and development projects related to the UNESCO Convention. Applications could be submitted in Finnish, Swedish, and English. Grants are available for communities, NGOs, municipalities, and other entities.

Grants for Cooperation and Development Projects under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention in 2025

• City of Kaskinen: €8,500 SAfegurading of Kaskinen's Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Cultural Cooperative Uulu: €11,000 for Uulu's Mobile Children's Culture Center: "Soita da pajata"
• Mirsal ry: €13,000 for CELEBRATE – Preserving Finnish-Arabic Dance and Celebrations as Intangible Heritage
• SVK Liitto ry: €21,000 for Living Heritage – Stories of Ingria and Karelia for Future Generations
• City of Tornio: €10,000 for Boundless Cultural Heritage
• Workers' Museum Association: €19,000 for Living Stories of Deaf Families