Deadline: 27-Feb-2026
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has opened a call for project support for Finnish non-governmental organizations to implement development cooperation projects for the 2027–2030 period. The funding supports civil society strengthening, human rights, gender equality, poverty reduction, democracy, and sustainable development in line with Finland’s development policy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Overview of the Funding Call
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has launched an open call for project support aimed at Finnish non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implementing development cooperation projects under Finland’s official development policy framework.
This funding mechanism supports long-term, partnership-based projects that strengthen civil society, promote human rights, and contribute to sustainable and inclusive development in developing countries. The call forms part of Finland’s civil society development cooperation allocation and covers projects implemented between 2027 and 2030.
The application window is open from 16 January to 27 February.
Purpose of the Project Support
Project support is one of Finland’s key instruments for advancing development cooperation through civil society actors.
The funding is intended to:
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Strengthen civil society structures and local ownership in partner countries
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Support democratic societies, the rule of law, and accountable governance
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Promote sustainable and rights-based development outcomes
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Enable Finnish NGOs to work in close partnership with local actors
Through this support, Finnish NGOs contribute to diverse, effective, and community-level development cooperation aligned with Finland’s foreign, security, and development policy objectives.
Priority Objectives and Thematic Focus Areas
Funded projects must align with Finland’s development policy priorities and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key focus areas include:
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Strengthening civil society and its actors
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Promoting fundamental political, social, and economic rights
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Advancing gender equality as a primary or cross-cutting objective
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Reducing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion
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Supporting democratic societies and the rule of law
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Promoting and protecting human rights
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Enhancing citizens’ peaceful participation in society
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Supporting vulnerable groups and minorities
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Utilizing and strengthening local resources and expertise
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Promoting sustainable social and environmental development
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Encouraging multi-stakeholder cooperation
Projects must demonstrate how they contribute to long-term, sustainable change rather than short-term outputs.
Human Rights–Based and Inclusive Approach
All supported projects must follow a human rights–based approach to development.
This includes:
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Promoting equality and non-discrimination
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Ensuring meaningful participation of rights-holders
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Strengthening accountability of duty-bearers
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Integrating environmental sustainability and climate considerations
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Supporting inclusive development that leaves no one behind
Projects are expected to align with Finland’s broader development policy priorities while remaining responsive to local contexts and needs.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible Applicants
The call is open exclusively to Finnish non-governmental organizations that meet the Ministry’s eligibility requirements.
Eligible organizations include:
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Finnish NGOs engaged in development cooperation
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Small, medium-sized, and large civil society organizations
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NGOs capable of partnering with local actors in developing countries
Applicants must have the operational, financial, and administrative capacity to implement multi-year development cooperation projects.
Partnership Requirements
Project support is designed to be implemented in close collaboration with local partners.
Projects should:
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Be implemented jointly with local civil society actors
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Strengthen local ownership and institutional capacity
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Support the operating conditions of democratic societies in partner countries
Funding Scope and Project Duration
The project support covers development cooperation projects implemented during the 2027–2030 period.
Key funding features include:
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Funding period: 2027 to 2030
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Funding type: Government grants for development cooperation
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Allocation: Civil society development cooperation budget
Projects should be designed as multi-year interventions with clearly defined objectives, outcomes, and sustainability plans beyond the funding period.
How the Project Support Works
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs primarily awards project support through open application rounds.
Funded projects are expected to:
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Align with Finland’s development, foreign, and security policy goals
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Contribute to sustainable and positive community-level change
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Strengthen democracy, human rights, and civil society functioning
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Demonstrate effectiveness, accountability, and transparency
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Integrate gender equality, environmental sustainability, and inclusion throughout project design and implementation
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
Applicants should prepare carefully to ensure alignment with the Ministry’s requirements.
Step 1: Review Finland’s development policy priorities and confirm strong alignment with the call objectives.
Step 2: Design a development cooperation project for the 2027–2030 period in partnership with local actors.
Step 3: Ensure the project follows a human rights–based approach and integrates gender equality, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Step 4: Prepare a complete application according to the Ministry’s guidelines and required documentation.
Step 5: Submit the application during the open call period from 16 January to 27 February.
Why This Funding Opportunity Matters
This project support is critical for advancing Finland’s development cooperation through civil society.
It matters because it:
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Enables long-term, locally grounded development partnerships
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Strengthens democratic institutions and civil society spaces
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Supports vulnerable and marginalized communities
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Reinforces Finland’s commitment to human rights and the SDGs
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Enhances the diversity and effectiveness of Finland’s development cooperation
By supporting civil society actors, the funding helps generate sustainable, rights-based change at the grassroots level.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid issues that commonly weaken proposals.
Common mistakes include:
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Weak alignment with Finland’s development policy priorities
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Limited focus on human rights, gender equality, or inclusion
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Insufficient involvement of local partners
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Overly broad objectives without clear outcomes
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Inadequate sustainability planning beyond the project period
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for this project support?
Only Finnish non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply.
What is the application period?
The call is open from 16 January to 27 February.
What years can the funded projects cover?
Projects must cover the period from 2027 to 2030.
What type of projects are supported?
Development cooperation projects that strengthen civil society, promote human rights, democracy, gender equality, and sustainable development.
Are small NGOs eligible to apply?
Yes. Small and medium-sized Finnish NGOs are explicitly included as eligible applicants.
What approach must projects follow?
All projects must use a human rights–based approach and promote equality, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development.
How are projects selected?
Projects are selected through open application rounds based on alignment with policy priorities, quality, feasibility, and expected impact.
Conclusion
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland’s project support call offers a major opportunity for Finnish NGOs to implement impactful development cooperation projects between 2027 and 2030.
By focusing on civil society strengthening, human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development, the funding enables long-term partnerships that generate meaningful, community-level change while advancing Finland’s development policy objectives and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit strong, well-aligned proposals before the 27 February deadline.
For more information, visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs.