Finland 100 seeks novel future approaches
Finland will celebrate the centenary of its independence in 2017. Marking the most remarkable anniversary for our generation, the centenary year will be celebrated all over Finland and also beyond its borders throughout the year. The centenary theme is Together.
The Finland 100 programme is being built up jointly by Finnish people and Friends of Finland abroad. Anyone can apply to join the programme, and the application period will run until the end of October 2017. Financial aid is now made available for some of the projects admitted into the programme. In April, the Finland 100 project organisation that coordinates the centenary is launching two thematic calls for applications for aid: for projects aimed at strengthening Finland’s future, and for programme projects to be implemented outside Finland. Regional calls for applications to receive aid will also be announced shortly.
Studies have shown that Finnish people find it important to have their eyes set on the future in Finland and also beyond. The Centenary Programme is progressing nicely, and it’ll feature a fantastic set of events dealing with history. Contemporary Finland and moments shared together will also be in the focus. We are launching this call for applications to find new actors to join us and thus intensify actions that will bring Finland forward locally and also internationally, says General Secretary for the Centenary Pekka Timonen.
Focus on extensive sets of projects that will give Finland a boost
To reinforce the “forward-looking approach” priority, the Finland 100 project will launch a thematic call for applications for aid with a view to complementing the Finland 100 Programme with significant, high-impact projects, actions, deeds and campaigns. The goal is to strengthen Finland’s future and contribute to positive change.
To qualify for aid, the projects shall propose concrete measures for the strengthening of Finland and produce long-term impacts. These measures may relate to themes such as democracy, civil society, equality and the freedom of speech. They may also aim at introducing improvements in the fields of education, employment, business entrepreneurship and internationalisation. The proposed projects shall have a link with the Centenary in terms of content, and they shall primarily be implemented during 2017.
The purpose of this round of applications is to select 2–5 extensive projects or project packages that will receive, as a rule, a subsidy of EUR 100,000–300,000 per project. For this call of applications, the amount of subsidies to be granted will not exceed EUR 1.2 million in total. Applications are invited from 4 to 25 April 2016. You can find further details and a link to the application form on the suomifinland100.fi site.
Subsidies for projects to be implemented outside Finland
There is another concurrent thematic call for applications with a focus on the international component of the Finland 100 Programme. The purpose is to complement the Programme to be implemented beyond Finnish borders, especially in the neighbouring countries, the Nordic countries and other regions in the focus of our country branding efforts. The selected projects shall lend support to Finland’s country branding work and its strategic priorities by, for example, making Finnish know-how more widely known internationally. Projects are welcomed from different sectors of the society, giving priority to forward-looking actions that reflect the strengths of contemporary Finland.
Particular priority will be given to projects that have significant impact through media attention or reaching out to target audience, as well as long-term impact.
The proposed projects shall have a link with the Centenary in terms of content, and they shall primarily be implemented during 2017. For this call of applications, the amount of subsidies to be granted will not exceed EUR 600,000 in total. Applications are invited from 4 to 25 April 2016. You can find further details and a link to the application form on the suomifinland100.fi site.
Regional calls for applications to bolster the local Finland 100 programme
The regional network of Finland 100 years, made up of Finland’s regional councils and six largest cities, supports the implementation of the centenary year at local level. Programme projects admitted into the Finland 100 Programme may apply for Finland 100 regional subsidies from regional councils and from the City of Oulu.
The first round of these applications is open during April-May. Further information can be found on the websites of regional councils and also obtained from regional coordinators. (Contact details for the regions)
A varied programme
Just a few samples of the many things that will happen in 2017: making plans for Finland’s future together; having meals together; having a sauna bath together; exercising together; enjoying many types of music and plays; going to see exhibitions; watching new movies; enjoying Finland’s nature; listening to the voice of Finland from space; reminiscing about prominent figures of Finnish history and giving gifts to the centenarian. Children and adolescents will have a particularly prominent role in the Centenary programme, contributing to it actively and participating in the various events.
Further information: Pekka Timonen, Secretary General, pekka.h.timonen(at)vnk.fi, tel. +358 50 3374 386, and Päivi Pirttilä, Communications Specialist, paivi.pirttila(at)vnk.fi, tel. +358 40 705 3323, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Further information on nation-wide calls for applications
Contact details for the regional network
The Centenary can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube with the name SuomiFinland100 (#Suomi100, #Finland100).
A video presenting the centenary year, When Finland reaches 100, can be viewed on the site suomifinland100.fi.
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Finland will celebrate the centenary of its independence in 2017. It is a big year for Finland, to be built together by Finns and the Friends of Finland abroad. The centenary year will give rise to events, experiences and a programme of activities. It will be celebrated all over Finland throughout 2017. The events will examine the past century, the present and the future of Finland’s independence. Read more: suomifinland100.fi
English translation of the press release published on 6 April 2016