The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland
Our mission
Our mission is to support and strengthen the culture and education of the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland, by supporting education, arts and culture and social cohesion through non-profit organisations.
What we do
Annually we distribute around 40 million euro of funding and we receive close to 8 000 applications every year. According to the rules and regulations of the 490 individual funds that together form the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, we provide grants for individuals, working groups and organisations for educational and cultural purposes and activities. We also initiate projects and organise conferences for key groups in the fields of education and arts and culture.
Background
The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland was established in 1908, at a time in history, when the right of the Swedish-speaking population to use their own language and have their own culture, was threatened. Today, the foundation plays a bridging role in a bilingual society, and, through its work, wants to enhance the understanding of the value of living in a country with two languages.
For more information please contact kansli(at)kulturfonden.fi.
Are you interested in applying for a grant?
You don´t have to be Swedish-speaking to apply for a grant from Svenska kulturfonden as long as the purpose you are applying for is according to our mission. The application form is in Swedish, but our staff will help you with the process. Here you can find the contact information.
Finland – a bilingual country
Finland has two national languages, Finnish and Swedish. About five percent of the total population of five million are native Swedish-speakers. Both linguistic groups have equal legal status in the constitutional act of the country. The Swedish-speaking minority group has the right to education – from pre-school to university
level – and a wide range of public services in their native language. The majority of the Swedish-speakers live in the coastal areas of Finland.