Sustainable Growth Programme funding to companies from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and government agencies under its purview 

Sustainable growth programme for Finland Recovery funding promotes the renewal of economic structure and the competitive advantage of Finnish companies based on sustainable solutions. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and government agencies under its purview opened calls for funding applications from companies under Finland’s Sustainable Growth Programme in summer 2021.

They will relate to transformation of the energy system, energy and circular economy solutions in industry, and investments in research, development and innovation.

Research organisations can also submit funding applications for some projects, whereas other public sector operators can apply for funding for projects related to innovation infrastructures and experimental environments. The funding organisations – Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Business Finland, ELY Centres and Energy Authority – will provide more detailed information on the calls for funding. 

Business Finland and the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland 

Funding available to companies

Funding applications on energy transformation and industrial energy solutions

Energy infrastructure

Press release 20.12.2021: Call for applications for funding to promote the green transition in energy system and industry starts

New energy technologies

Press release 20.12.2021: Call for applications for funding to promote the green transition in energy system and industry starts

Low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture and utilisation

Direct electrification and decarbonisation of industrial processes

Press release 20.12.2021: Call for applications for funding to promote the green transition in energy system and industry starts

REPowerEU application round for energy investments

  • Focus Area: The aim of the aid scheme is to promote clean transition investments that are in line with the REPowerEU chapter of Finland’s Recovery and Resilience plan. The investments contribute to Finland’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 by stimulating the introduction of new clean technologies for energy production and use, and/or by promoting the development of the production and storage of renewable hydrogen on a commercial scale
  • Timetable: 
    • Call 29.1.-29.2.2024
  • Total funding: EUR 54,5 million
  • Granting Authority: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Press release: Call for applications open until 29 February for REPowerEU investment aid for clean transition projects

Support for public infrastructure for distribution and refuelling of electricity and renewable hydrogen in transport

  • Focus area: Replacing fossil fuels with the support of a public infrastructure for distribution and refuelling of electricity and renewable hydrogen in transport.
  • Timetable: competitive tendering
    • 16.5.2022–13.6.2022, 5.10.–26.10.2022 (high-power charging points for vehicles)
    • 20.6.–22.8.2022, 5.10.–26.10.2022 (renewable hydrogen refuelling points)
  • Total funding: EUR 13,6 million
  • Granting authority: Energy Authority

Energy Authority: Infrastructure support in transport (in Finnish)

Investments promoting the reuse and recycling of key materials and industrial sidestreams

Low-carbon built environment

  • Focus area: The aim is to speed up the introduction of technologies, services and operating models in the construction sector that combat climate change and support decarbonisation, to change operating methods and to increase productivity. This is a measure of the Ministry of the Environment’s administrative branch and a large part of the funding calls will be organised by Business Finland.
  • Timetable: Funding will be granted in accordance with the preliminary plan in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
    • Call 23.8.2021–15.10.2021
    • Call 23.8.2021–31.3.2022
    • Call 1.9.2022–31.10.2022
    • Call 2.12.2022–14.4.2023
  • Total funding: EUR 32 million, according to a preliminary plan.
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland: Low-carbon built environment – Call for innovation funding applications

Research, development and innovation (RDI) funding

A competition for leading companies started in June 2021. Later, funding applications will be accepted for the development of innovation infrastructure and key sectors of the future as well as for innovation projects by growth companies.  

Leading company funding

Key sectors of the future

  • Focus area: Funding related to the key sectors of the future is available for the partnership projects of leading companies.
  • Timetable: 
    • Call 16.4.–30.9.2021 
    • Call 30.9.2021–13.4.2023
  • Total funding: EUR 25 million
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland 30.9.2021: Partnership model funding call for companies and research organizations

Innovation infrastructures and experimental environments

  • Focus area: Funding for building or developing testing, experimentation, research or innovation infrastructures that support sustainable growth and digitalization.
  • Timetable: 
    • The idea phase's proposals 14.10.–15.12.2021.
    • The actual funding calls 18.3.–23.5.2022 and 20.2.–28.4.2023
  • Total funding: EUR 20,75 million
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland 14.10.2021: Funding call for building and developing infrastructures that support sustainable growth and digitalization – idea phase

Business Finland 18.3.2022: Funding call for building and developing infrastructures that support leading technologies and sustainable growth and digitalization

Business Finland 20.2.2023: Funding call: 5G/6G, AI and quantum computing development environments and microelectronics

Innovation projects by growth companies

  • Focus area: Funding will be allocated to research and innovation projects by SMEs seeking growth through exports. 
  • Timetable: Call for funding applications 23.8.2021–31.10.2022
  • Total funding: EUR 18 million
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland: Ensure your competitiveness in the future  – Funding provided for innovative green ideas
Business Finland: Green transition for growth companies: Innovation funding call

5G/6G, artificial intelligence and quantum computing

  • Focus area: Funding for building or developing testing, experimentation, research and innovation environments that promote the development of 5G/6G, AI or quantum computing.
  • Timetable: 
    • The idea phase's proposals 14.10.–15.12.2021
    • Call for funding applications 18.3.–23.5.2022 
    • Call for funding applications 20.2.–28.4.2023
  • Total funding: EUR 10 million
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland 14.10.2021: Funding call for building and developing infrastructures that support sustainable growth and digitalization – idea phase

Business Finland 18.3.2022: Funding call for building and developing infrastructures that support leading technologies and sustainable growth and digitalization

Business Finland 20.2.2023: Funding call: 5G/6G, AI and quantum computing development environments and microelectronics

Microelectronics

  • Focus area: Call for Finnish proposals for the participation in the new (IPCEI) in microelectronics and connectivity (ME-CT).
  • Timetable: 
    • Call 12.7.2021–23.8.2021.
    • Call for funding applications 20.2.–28.4.2023
  • Total funding: EUR 15 million
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland 12.7.2022: Call for Finnish proposals for the participation in the new (IPCEI) in microelectronics and connectivity (ME-CT).

Business Finland 20.2.2023: Funding call: 5G/6G, AI and quantum computing development environments and microelectronics.

Sectors impacted by COVID-19 and leading international growth companies

Funding for renewal of creative industries

More information in Finnish (Business Finland): news 3.8.2021news 15.9.2021,  news 4.4.2022 and news 30.5.2022

Sustainable growth and digitalisation in the tourism sector

  • Focus area: Funding will be allocated to development and renewal of the tourism sector necessary for its recovery. Key issue is to use digital solutions, sustainable practices and knowledge of customers to improve competitiveness in international tourism markets that are undergoing change.
  • Timetable: The funding call for individual companies 1.3.–29.4.2022.
  • Total funding for the focus area: EUR 1 million
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland: Funding call for the sustainable growth and digitalization of the tourism industry

Health and wellbeing technologies and skills

  • Focus area: The funding call applies to innovative solutions in the health and wellbeing sector that develop digital solutions, technologies, and operating procedures in the field of healthcare.
  • Timetable: 
    • Call 1.11.2021–31.1.2022
    • Supplementary call 15.8.2022–17.10.2022
  • Total funding for the focus area: EUR 4 million 
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland 1.11.2021: Health and wellbeing competence and technology – Innovation funding call

Business Finland 15.8.2022: Health and wellbeing competence and technology – Innovation funding supplementary call

Low-carbon industry, circular economy, digitalisation and service development

  • Focus area: Funding for projects that support low-carbon industry and circular economy and digital renewal of industry. In addition, funding will support the growth of industrial service exports.
  • Timetable: Call 21.1.–30.6.2022
  • Total funding for the focus area: EUR 4 million
  • Granting authority: Business Finland

Business Finland: Funding call for industrial projects related to low-carbon circular economy, digitalization and service exports

Growth accelerator programme to develop international capabilities

  • Focus area: Funding for small companies, in particular, to develop international capabilities so that they can better respond to changes in the business environment caused by the coronavirus as well as increased business opportunities. Funding will promote the use of digital technology and operating methods in the business and international activities of small companies.
  • Timetable: 22.6.–31.12.2022
  • Total funding for the focus area: EUR 4,6 million
  • Granting authority: ELY Centres

Press release, ELY Centres (in Finnish)

The specific criteria for the calls for funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and government agencies under its purview will be published when the project calls are launched. The calls for funding are national and competitive. 

Funding will be provided through instruments similar to those currently in use. The funding criteria include specific requirements related to the use of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, such as compliance with the ‘do no significant harm’ principle, which means that the implementation of investments must not cause significant harm to environmental objectives. The manner in which special requirements are taken into account will be specified before the calls are opened.  

Inquiries:
Mikko Vähä-Sipilä, Director, tel. +358 29 504 7166, mikko.vaha-sipila(a)gov.fi
Irene Heikkilä, Senior Specialist, (energy), tel. +358 29 504 7158, irene.heikkila(a)gov.fi
Siina Lepola-Lång, Senior Specialist, (industry, RDI and other business subsidies), tel. +358 29 504 7337, siina.lepola-lang(a)gov.fi

Ministry of Finance: Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland
Business Finland and the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland

Funded by the European Union