Finland changes grant criterion for social and health organisations
Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will publish updated application terms and a guide on state grants for social and health organisations on Tuesday. The criteria approved by Minister Ville Rydman differ from the terms he presented in June, YLE News reports.
Changed criterion
The new rules recommend not applying a provision on excluding organisations whose activities are aimed at one specific group defined by non-medical characteristics of origin or identity. This clause caused dissatisfaction among Rydman’s partners in the government coalition.
Critics believed that such a condition could discriminate against organisations involved in migrant integration or the protection of sexual minority rights. Rydman told YLE that this concerns only one technical change intended to clarify the preparation of decisions by officials.
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Dispute in the government
During spring budget negotiations, Finland’s government agreed to reduce total funding for organisations working in the social and healthcare sectors by €84 million next year. At the same time, the government agreed that the minister of social affairs and health must first submit grant-award criteria for government approval.
In June, Rydman published his own criteria without seeking the opinion of his coalition partners. Minister of Local Government and Regions Anna-Kaisa Ikonen then stated that the terms he proposed could not be approved in that form.
In August, the government approved a decree under which more weight will be given to direct work with clients when grants are distributed. Supported activities must also promote equality and equal rights for people. Organisations including EHYT, Kehitysvammaisten tukiliitto and Suomen Mielenterveys ry reported the start of negotiations on the changes.
