Grant for water and marine resources management measures and measures affecting water systems

Apply for a grant and for the payment of the approved grant primarily in the e-service. If it is not possible to use the e-service, you can also apply for the grant using a printable form. The next application period for the grant is in autumn 2026. The specific dates will be announced later.

In the e-service, the application can be submitted by an authorised person. Persons without separate authorisation can act on behalf of an organisation if they have an existing mandate for transactions or a right based on register data.

The mandate theme for e-service is Applying for subsidies for employment, environment, business and transport. Authorisation follows the instructions for Suomi.fi e-Authorizations.

Authorised persons act on behalf of their organisation through Suomi.fi e-Identification. The service verifies the person's right to use the service when logging in. In addition to authorisations, organisations need a Business ID to use the e-service.

How to apply for the grant

Apply for the grant primarily in the e-service. Log in to the service using your personal bank identification, mobile certificate, or certificate card.

Fill out the application and add the necessary attachments through the service menu. Internal instructions in the service will help you complete the application. Notifications from the service inform you about the progress of your case. By using the e-service, you can submit the application, respond to requests for additional information, complete your application, and receive decisions related to your case.

If it is not possible to use the e-service, apply for the grant using a printable form. Submit the application to the Economic Development Centre by post, e-mail, or in person. The application can also be submitted as an attachment to the general service form.

How to apply for the payment of the grant

Apply for the payment of the grant according to the decision in the e-service.

Log in to the service using your personal bank identification, mobile certificate, or certificate card. Fill out the payment application thoroughly on the Payments tab and attach the required documents.

Use the printable form to apply for the payment if you applied for the grant using a printable form instead of the e-service. Submit the payment application and its attachments by post to the KEHA Centre. The application can also be submitted as an attachment to the general service form.

General condition for grant is that project’s costs are reasonable in relation to benefits to be achieved. Discretionary grant can be awarded for costs arising from planning, implementation, and administration of project, fees for project permits, and costs from compliance with legal and permit obligations. As a rule, amount of grant does not exceed 50 percent of eligible total costs.

For projects with grant decision made from 1 July 2023 onwards, voluntary work can be included in costs with following values: 20 euros per hour per worker, 40 euros per hour per tractor or motor-driven machinery, and 10 euros per hour per small motor-driven machinery, such as ATV, snowmobile, mower, or motorboat. For projects with grant decision made before 1 July 2023, voluntary work is valued at 15 euros per hour per worker and 30 euros per hour per tractor or motor-driven machinery.

Grant is paid ex post on basis of actual costs incurred. Beneficiary must usually be registered association, participants’ association of water area, fishery region, community under Water Act, municipality, or company. Grant may be awarded for up to three years per project. Projects aim for long-term impacts on water status, which is why large project packages and cooperation projects between different actors are prioritised.

Payment of grant requires that beneficiary has necessary permits and rights under Water Act and other legislation to implement project. Beneficiary must also commit to properly maintaining and using structures, as well as fulfilling other obligations following completion of project.

If necessary, procurements within project must be tendered in accordance with Act on Public Contracts and Concessions. If grant supports economic activity, EU State aid rules apply.

Grant cannot be used for application of soil improvement materials on fields, fishery restoration works, or other measures for which other public funding is available.

Grant is discretionary, and amount and scope of funding are defined annually. It is recommended to consult with Economic Development Centre regarding project before submitting application.

Application must include project plan containing cost estimate, financing plan, implementation schedule, and map of target area. In addition, copies of permits and consents required for project’s measures, or statement of permits and consents to be obtained, must be attached.